In a groundbreaking advancement for brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, a quadriplegic woman named Audrey Crews has written her name for the first time in two decades-using only her mind. The achievement was made possible through a Neuralink brain chip implant, marking a major milestone for people with mobility impairments.
Audrey’s first 'Mindwritten' word in 20 years
Audrey, paralysed since she was 16, recently shared her emotional moment on social media platform X. She posted a picture showing her name, “Audrey,” written in violet on a digital whiteboard. The image wasn’t just significant-it was revolutionary. The letters were generated entirely through brain signals, with no physical movement involved.
“I tried writing my name for the first time in 20 years. I'm working on it. Lol #Neuralink,” she captioned the post. Elon Musk, CEO of Neuralink, reshared her post, stating, “She is controlling her computer just by thinking. Most people don’t realise this is even possible.”
How Neuralink’s brain chip works
Neuralink, a neurotechnology company founded by Musk in 2016, developed a brain implant about the size of a coin. The chip is surgically embedded beneath the skull, with 1,000-plus ultra-thin threads inserted into the brain’s motor cortex. These threads detect and decode brain activity, enabling users to interact with digital devices using only their thoughts.
Audrey underwent the surgery at the University of Miami Health Center and explained that 128 threads were implanted into her brain. “They drilled a hole in my skull and treated me like a VIP,” she wrote in another post.
About the cost, it is said to cost around â‚ą8,95,125 for the implant surgery or â‚ą34,10,000 if covered by insurance, based on 2023 estimates.
From thought to action
Audrey made it clear that Neuralink’s chip isn’t designed to restore mobility but rather aims to enable "telepathy"-or the ability to control external devices mentally. She’s currently using the chip to navigate her computer and hopes to expand to other devices soon. When asked about her future goals, she replied, “Hopefully write a book about my journey. I've been a quadriplegic since 16, and I have lots to tell.” She even drew drawings using the chip and shared on social media.
A new era in assistive technology
As Neuralink progresses with its trials, the potential to transform lives-like Audrey’s—continues to grow. From enabling communication to possibly restoring lost senses, the future of mind-controlled tech is no longer science fiction.
