A Brain Implant Brings a Quadriplegic’s Arm Back to Life

[Narrator] This is much more than a simple video game.

This is Ian Burkhart and he's paralyzed from the neck down,

and magically, he's also shredding.

In 2010, a diving accident left Ian quadriplegic.

Four years later, doctors implanted an array of electrodes

in his brain, specifically the motor cortex.

A team of scientists then used machine learning algorithms

to decode Ian's brain activity.

They can use those signals to control his forearm muscles

with this stimulation sheet.

For 15 months, Ian had to learn how to think

about moving his arms and hands.

He got better at thinking

and the computer got better at reading his thoughts.

Now, he can manipulate all sorts of things.

Scientists have developed similar systems

using robotic arms, but this is the first time

they've ever been able to restore movement

in a paralyzed limb.

Ian's progress is huge, not only for the researchers,

but for all those affected by paralysis.

(clapping)

Today, it's Guitar Hero.

Tomorrow it could be standing and walking,

and, sure, maybe some Guitar Hero too.