Elon Musk's Neuralink said it has received approval to launch a new feasibility study using its brain implant and an experimental robotic arm.
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Neuralink is conducting its PRIME study, aimed at evaluating the safety of its wireless brain-computer interface and surgical robot. It is assessing the initial effect of the implant in patients with quadriplegia, a form of paralysis, to control external devices with their thoughts.
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"This is an important first step towards restoring not only digital freedom, but also physical freedom. More info to come, but the CONVOY Study will enable cross-enrolling participants from the ongoing PRIME Study," Neuralink said in a post.
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The PRIME study (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) involves the placement of a small, cosmetically invisible implant in the area of a person's brain that plans movements. The N1 implant is designed to interpret one's neural activity to assist them in operating a computer or smartphone by simply intending to move, reports MobiHealthNews.
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The company is still looking for people to contribute to the ongoing medical device clinical trial, which aims to enable people with quadriplegia to utilize digital gadgets with their thoughts.
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In February, 29-year-old quadriplegic Noland Arbaugh received the first implant of Neurolink's BCI device, which allowed him to play video games and chess hands-free.

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Health Canada, the company's regulator, gave the company permission last week to begin a device trial in Canada. The firm and Canadian neurosurgeons have received regulatory approval to enlist six paralyzed individuals in the research.
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Neuralink has already implanted the device in two people in the United States. The first patient has been able to use it to move a cursor on his laptop, play video games, access the internet, and post on social media.
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The company said the second trial patient has been using the device to play video games and learn how to construct 3D items, and it is functioning effectively.