In a groundbreaking medical advancement, Elon Musk’s company has successfully helped an American man regain his ability to communicate after years of silence caused by ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). The revolutionary technology involves implanting a smart neural chip directly into the patient’s brain, enabling him to “speak” again using only his thoughts.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, Brad Smith from Arizona became the third person globally—and the first ALS patient unable to speak—to receive the brain implant. Thanks to the chip, he has now regained his voice.
The implant is positioned in the motor cortex, the area of the brain responsible for movement. It allows Smith to control a computer cursor with his mind. He types words on the screen through cursor movement, and Musk’s AI-powered voice assistant “Grok” then converts the text into speech using a synthetic version of Smith’s real voice, recorded before his condition progressed.
Smith, who can only move his eyes and the corners of his mouth and relies entirely on a ventilator, described the experience as life-changing. “Now I control the computer with my mind… Life is beautiful,” he said. “The chip doesn’t read my thoughts—it simply translates my intended movements.”
In an emotional video, Smith shared his journey with ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that kills motor neurons but leaves cognitive functions intact. “It all started with a shoulder injury, and now I’m completely paralyzed except for my eyes,” he explained.
The implant procedure was performed by a robotic surgeon that operates with precision similar to a sewing machine. The robot removes a small section of the skull and inserts ultra-thin electrodes into targeted regions of the brain. The minimally invasive surgery leaves only a tiny scar and poses almost no risk of bleeding, according to Smith.
The implant captures neuronal signals every 15 milliseconds, generating vast amounts of data. An advanced AI system then analyzes this data in real time to decode movement intentions, enabling the patient to move the on-screen cursor using only his thoughts.
This milestone represents a major leap in brain-computer interface technology and offers hope to thousands living with severe motor disabilities.
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