Overview
- Noland Arbaugh, paralysed since a 2016 diving accident, posted a detailed 100-day account on X as the first recipient of Neuralink’s N1 implant.
- He reported a brief general anaesthetic, a small incision, and robotic placement of 1,024 ultra-thin threads in his motor cortex, with discharge the next day.
- Short-term recovery was minimal, with a fading scar by Day 7 and a reported improvement in mood and clarity after the device was activated.
- Within weeks he paired the implant with an Apple MacBook and, after quick calibration, controlled the cursor, scrolling, clicking, and typing using thought.
- By Day 80 he said he played World of Warcraft hands-free, and his posts drew thousands of supportive messages from people with disabilities, gamers, students, and scientists.