A paralyzed man implanted with Neuralink’s brain-computer interface says he can now control a robotic arm and even fly a drone with only his thoughts, offering a glimpse into the rapidly advancing future of neurotechnology.
Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is advancing rapidly, increasingly resembling something out of science fiction. The second person to receive “The Link” BCI, Alex Conley, has confirmed that he can use the implant to control a robotic arm and even fly a drone using only his mind.
Before becoming a Neuralink candidate and participating in the study, Conley was involved in a car rollover accident in 2021 that left him with a spinal cord injury and paralyzed from the waist down. Confined to a wheelchair, he found it increasingly difficult to perform daily tasks independently, losing much of his mobility and sense of autonomy.
Everything changed for Conley after receiving a BCI implant. “The Link” was originally designed to help people with spinal cord injuries, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and other neurological conditions regain independence and contribute to society in meaningful ways. By connecting a brain-implanted chip to external devices, BCIs have become life-changing tools for many individuals, thanks to ongoing advancements by companies worldwide.
For participants like Conley, the technology enables him to operate a robotic arm and control devices such as drones using only his thoughts.
“It’s kind of like going from not being able to do anything and confined to my chair and confined to a room. If a door is closed, I have no way to open it or get outside without aid from a caregiver or a family member,” Conley said on Katie Pavlich Tonight on Monday, April 27.
He also noted, “With that arm, it would allow me to actually open a door on my own and get outside without the help.”
“The Link” has not only changed how Conley navigates daily life but has also reignited his passion for welding, fabrication, and mechanics. With the help of BCI-enabled computer-aided design (CAD) software, he has returned to designing and creating tools and parts. Working directly with Neuralink, Conley even designed a custom holder for his charging system, which was 3D-printed the following day.
“The Neuralink engineers sent it to a guy in Phoenix, and he printed me my first part, and I had it the next day,” Conley said. “I feel very honored that they decided to go with me.”
At the end of last year, Elon Musk announced on the social media platform X that the company was planning “high-volume production of brain-computer interface devices.”
“This is a big deal,” Musk wrote in his post.
The company also stated that it aims to move toward “a streamlined, almost entirely automated surgical procedure in 2026,” noting that device threads would pass through the dura without the need to remove it.
“A primary aim of our expanding clinical trials is to better understand these variations and improve both our hardware and the overall procedure for every participant,” Neuralink said in a statement.
Chrissy Newton is a PR professional and the founder of VOCAB Communications. She currently appears on The Discovery Channel and Max and hosts the Rebelliously Curious podcast, which can be found on YouTube and on all audio podcast streaming platforms. Follow her on X: @ChrissyNewton, Instagram: @BeingChrissyNewton, and chrissynewton.com. To contact Chrissy with a story, please email chrissy @ thedebrief.org.