In a groundbreaking moment for science and technology, a woman who has been paralyzed for over two decades is now able to write her name and play games using just her thoughts thanks to Elon Musk’s brain chip company, Neuralink.
Audrey Crews, who is one of the first recipients of Neuralink’s brain-computer interface (BCI) implant, shared her story online, revealing that she can now control a computer purely with her mind. “I tried writing my name for the first time in 20 years. I’m working on it,” she posted.
Earlier this month, Neuralink announced that it had completed two successful brain implant surgeries in a single day for the first time. Audrey, also known as “P9”, was one of those patients and has now come forward publicly to share her experience.
“I Am P9. I’m the First Woman With a Neuralink BCI”
Talking to X (formerly Twitter), Audrey revealed: “I would like to announce that I am P9. I am the first woman in the world with a Neuralink BCI. I can’t wait for the world to meet me and follow me on my journey.”
Paralyzed for 20 years, she chose to undergo the Neuralink procedure in the hope of regaining some digital independence. And it’s already paying off.
Audrey underwent the surgery at the University of Miami Health Centre. The procedure involved drilling a small hole into her skull, where surgeons assisted by a precision robot inserted 128 ultra-thin threads into her brain’s motor cortex, the area responsible for movement.
The actual Neuralink device, known as the “N1 Implant”, is about the size of a 10p coin and sits neatly in the skull. It captures the brain’s electrical signals and sends them wirelessly to a computer.
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“I Can Control My Computer With My Mind”
Since the surgery, Audrey has been actively sharing updates. “The BCI lets me control my computer using my mind,” she said. “I’ll be able to control more electronic devices in the near future.”
While she clarifies that the chip won’t help her walk again or restore physical movement, she describes the experience as “telepathy” being able to interact with a screen without lifting a finger.
Elon Musk also highlighted her achievement, posting: “She is controlling her computer just by thinking. Most people don’t realise this is possible.”
How Neuralink’s Brain Chip Works
Neuralink, founded in 2016 by Elon Musk, is developing cutting-edge brain-computer interfaces aimed at helping people with neurological conditions or severe paralysis. The goal is to create a direct link between the brain and external devices.
Here’s how it works:
- A chip is implanted into the skull with threads connected to the motor cortex.
- These threads pick up brain signals whenever the user thinks about doing something.
- Those signals are wirelessly transmitted to a computer.
- AI-powered software decodes the signals and turns them into actions on the screen — like moving a mouse, typing, or drawing.
A Life-Changing Breakthrough
Audrey Crews’ journey is a powerful example of how technology can transform lives. From writing her name again to playing games and drawing all using her thoughts she is now able to do things that once seemed impossible.
This success story marks a major step for Neuralink and brain-computer interfaces as a whole. While still in its early stages, the technology shows massive promise for people with disabilities, offering new ways to communicate and interact with the digital world.
As Audrey puts it: “Everything is progressing amazingly.”
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