Elon Musk's brain chip implant lets paralysed patient turn on his TV and play video games, all through brain signals
RJ, a military veteran paralysed in a motorcycle accident, is now part of a small group in the US to receive the Neuralink implant. The device, about the size of a coin, is meant to help people with severe paralysis operate computers, smartphones, and other devices with their minds. For RJ, it meant playing video games, moving a cursor, and turning on his TV for the first time in years. These are small steps, but for someone with paralysis, they matter.
The procedure seems straightforward on paper. Surgeons use a robotic system to insert more than 60 ultra-thin threads into the brain's movement centre. Each thread is finer than a strand of hair. Most patients are out of the hospital the next day, ready to see what the chip can actually do. But there are risks, such as requiring more surgeries for optimal performance of the chip, along with performance issues owing to how new the tech still is.
The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis is running the trial for people aged 22 to 75 who have lost the use of both hands due to spinal cord injury or ALS. Neuralink is also expanding to Canada, the UK, and the UAE. The company says it wants to go beyond controlling devices, looking at ways to restore speech, movement, and even vision for people with neurological conditions. For now, the focus is on what the chip can do for people in domestic settings.
RJ's experience shows both the promise and the limits of the technology. He reports being able to play games and control devices, but the long-term impact is still being studied. The trial is just getting started, and only time will tell how well the device works and what risks might come up.
Neuralink's trial in Miami is testing what is possible and seeing whether this technology can make a practical difference. For people living with paralysis, it could be a life-changing invention if all goes well. For now, we'll have to wait and see how such brain-computer interfaces progress in the near-future.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
36 minutes ago
- India Today
US sees largest wave of job cuts since 2020 pandemic, AI among key triggers
The US is witnessing a record number of job losses, and companies adopting AI might be one of the factors. In the first half of 2025 alone, companies announced 744,308 job cuts across the US, the highest since the first six months of 2020, when nearly 1.6 million jobs were lost due to Covid disruptions. That it is mostly entry-level and routine roles which are being substituted, points to the silent killing of jobs by figures come from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, as reported by American broadcaster confirmed on July 2 that it was cutting just under 4% of its workforce, roughly 9,000 people, in what is now its second major round of lay-offs this year. While Microsoft has not disclosed an exact headcount, it reported having 228,000 full-time employees as of June 2024. Based on that number, a 4% reduction would affect around 9,000 this year alone has seen at least three separate rounds of layoffs at Microsoft, raising questions about whether recent hiring has kept pace with the jobs being major companies are cutting jobs in 2025 as part of broader restructuring efforts or store closures. Firms like Del Monte, At Home, and 23andMe have filed for bankruptcy this year, reflecting the pressure across companies such as Meta and Bumble have also laid off employees, while more businesses are beginning to downsize as AI increasingly replaces entry-level and routine federal agencies have also been hit particularly hard in 2025, following aggressive cost-cutting led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. The tech, retail, media, and non-profit sectors have also seen large-scale job AI BEHIND MASSIVE LAY-OFFS IN THE US?One of the drivers behind Microsoft's restructuring is its ongoing and massive investment in AI. The company is pouring tens of billions into infrastructure, including data centres and custom computer chips to support its AI ambitions. It expects these efforts to cost around $80 billion for the previous fiscal year. The new fiscal year began this is already deeply embedded in Microsoft's operations. Earlier this year, CEO Satya Nadella revealed that artificial intelligence now generates between 20% to 30% of all the code written by the company's to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, several forces are fuelling this wave of leading one is DOGE, or the Department of Government Efficiency, which the firm said has been responsible for nearly 287,000 job cuts so far this led by DOGE spiked earlier this year at agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, and USAID. Many others left through a deferred resignation dramatic rise is largely due to significant reductions at federal agencies headquartered in Washington, DC," the firm noted in its broader economic picture isn't helping either. A slowdown and shaky financial markets have driven another 154,000 layoffs this year. Trade tensions are playing a role too, with 2,000 job cuts directly linked to increased US tariffs on imports, according to the report.- Ends
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Best cryptocurrencies in 2025: Detailed and updated list of top coins to invest in Q3
The truth is, what separates this cycle from the last isn't just hype—it's narrative complexity. Traders aren't looking for copy-paste dog tokens anymore. They want coins with community, tech, and cultural edge. That's why the list of best cryptocurrencies to watch this quarter doesn't look like it did in 2021. Memes are still here, but the strongest projects are pairing virality with blockchain fundamentals. From emerging Layer-2 platforms to Solana-native memes and ecosystem-driven tokens, Q3 is full of asymmetric opportunities. Little Pepe (LILPEPE) – Rising Frog Meme on Layer 2 Leading the charge is Little Pepe (LILPEPE), a Layer-2 meme coin built from the ground up for scale and longevity. It's not just a frog-themed gamble—it's a whole blockchain, EVM-compatible with low gas fees, anti-bot protection, and a built-in staking mechanism. The presale is midway through Stage 4, with the token price now sitting at $0.0013—far below the planned launch price of $0.003. Early investors are locking in nearly 2.3 times the upside pre-listing. But LILPEPE isn't just numbers—it's movement. The project's $ 777,000 giveaway campaign is significantly boosting its visibility. Coupled with exchange listings expected soon and NFTs on the roadmap, LILPEPE represents the most structurally advanced meme launch this cycle, and it's still early. Dogecoin (DOGE) – The OG Meme Coin It's long since graduated from joke status; with a market cap hovering around $27 billion, DOGE is effectively the 'blue chip' of meme tokens. What it lacks in innovation, it makes up for in reach, celebrity support from Elon Musk, tipping integrations, and massive liquidity. It might not offer the 100x potential of newer coins, but for conservative meme investors, DOGE remains a staple. Shiba Inu (SHIB) – Meme with an Ecosystem Shiba Inu (SHIB) has evolved far past its meme roots. Its devs have deployed Shibarium (Layer 2), a DEX (ShibaSwap), and companion tokens like BONE and LEASH. The SHIB burn rate continues to rise, with billions of tokens removed from circulation in an attempt to increase scarcity. At a valuation of $7 billion, SHIB's momentum is largely community-fueled. It's not a rocket anymore—but it's a machine. Stable, ecosystem-rich, and still a force in every meme market wave. Dogwifhat (WIF) – Solana's Pink-Hat Meme Star On Solana, Dogwifhat (WIF) holds the crown. Its viral image—a Shiba Inu in a pink knitted hat—became the face of Solana's meme coin scene. Following a major breakout in 2024 and its listing on Binance, WIF now enjoys strong DeFi usage, dApp integrations, and consistent social engagement. Solana's low fees give WIF a practical edge, too: it's used in actual transactions, not just memes. If Solana continues its resurgence, WIF is well-positioned to capitalize on the trend again. Gigachad (GIGA) – Macho Meme on Solana Its UFC fighter partnerships, bold visual identity, and exchange listings (Coinbase, Kraken) have helped it punch above its weight since 2023. With a relatively small market cap compared to DOGE or SHIB, GIGA remains a speculative play, but one that knows how to market in meme-native spaces. If the right catalyst strikes, GIGA has room to surge quickly. Floki Inu (FLOKI) – From Doge Spinoff to Metaverse FLOKI also makes the list, bridging meme culture with metaverse ambition. Initially inspired by Elon Musk's real-life Shiba pup, FLOKI now runs on both Ethereum and BNB Chain and has built an NFT marketplace, DeFi suite, and metaverse game (Valhalla) in development. Its marketing—think stadium ads, Viking lore, and Chainlink partnerships—is among the most aggressive in the crypto space. FLOKI is no longer just a meme; it's a branding empire. For investors seeking both short-term hype and long-term development, FLOKI sits right in the middle. Conclusion So, what do you pick in Q3? The coin with the deepest roadmap? The most hype? The safest reputation? The answer depends on your appetite—but this much is clear: LILPEPE is where attention is shifting. It offers both the early entry point and the functional buildout that other memes only promised in hindsight. DOGE and SHIB remain strongholds. WIF and GIGA dominate Solana. FLOKI pushes metaverse boundaries. But LILPEPE? It's the only one doing all of that at once, while still in presale. The smart money's already watching. The rest will catch up soon. For more information about Little Pepe (LILPEPE) visit the links below: Website: Whitepaper: Telegram: Twitter/X:
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Elon Musk wants International Space Station retired after Donald Trump's Tax Bill allocates $1.25 billion, says: ‘It's time to focus on Mars'
has once again drawn attention to his long-term vision for space exploration by calling for the retirement of the International Space Station (ISS). On July 3, 2025, the CEO reposted a tweet outlining the space-related allocations in President 's latest tax bill, which included $1.25 billion for the ISS. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Musk shared a pointed remark: 'It's time to retire the Space Station and focus on Mars.' The post quickly ignited debate online, with some supporting his forward-looking stance while others defended the ISS's ongoing role in science and international cooperation. The bill also provides $325 million for a safe deorbit process by 2030, acknowledging that the station's end is approaching. Why Elon Musk wants to shut down the International Space Station Musk has frequently criticized the ISS as an aging infrastructure that no longer justifies its high cost. In his view, the station's limited capabilities and growing maintenance risks outweigh its scientific value. Many of the ISS's modules are more than two decades old and were not designed to operate this long. Musk believes continued investment in the station diverts resources away from more ambitious goals, such as crewed missions to Mars. He has argued that Mars colonization is not just a dream but a necessary step for the survival of humanity, and funds should be directed toward that mission. Aging infrastructure and deorbit plans already underway has acknowledged the ISS cannot remain in orbit indefinitely. Several key systems aboard the station are nearing the end of their functional lifespan. To address this, NASA awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to develop a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, which will guide the ISS back to Earth in a controlled descent around 2030. The tax bill's $325 million allocation for deorbit operations reinforces that timeline. While Musk supports this transition, he suggests it should happen sooner rather than later to free up funding for next-generation missions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Divided response to Musk's Mars-first approach Musk's comments sparked a wave of reactions. Supporters argue that his focus on Mars is visionary and practical, given rapid advances in private space technology. They say the ISS has already delivered enormous value and it's time to invest in the next phase of space exploration. However, critics warn that phasing out the ISS too early could hinder critical microgravity research, space medicine trials, and international partnerships that still rely on the platform. Many believe a gradual shift, rather than an abrupt cutoff, is the smarter path forward.
