Neuralink User Hacks Brain-Computer Interface with Webcam to Boost Daily Life
Key Points
- Brad Smith, an ALS patient, is the third Neuralink BCI recipient.
- He replaced eye‑tracking software with a mind‑controlled cursor.
- Smith added an Insta360 Link 2 webcam as a periscope to see his surroundings.
- Neuralink helped integrate the camera into his wheelchair and created custom control panels.
- Other BCI users like Nathan Copeland and Ian Burkhart also build DIY solutions.
- Users stress the need for early collaboration with researchers to improve BCI usability.
- Smith hopes future BCIs will seamlessly control smart devices and wheelchairs.
Brad Smith, an ALS patient and the third Neuralink recipient, replaced his eye‑tracking system with a mind‑controlled cursor and added an Insta360 Link 2 webcam to create a periscope that lets him see family members and monitor his surroundings. Neuralink helped integrate the camera into his wheelchair setup, while custom control panels accelerated its movement. Other BCI users, such as Nathan Copeland and Ian Burkhart, echo Smith’s DIY approach, highlighting the need for early collaboration between users and researchers to make brain‑computer interfaces more practical for everyday tasks.
Background and Neuralink Implant
Brad Smith, who lives with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, became the third person to receive a Neuralink brain‑computer interface (BCI). The implant records neural activity, translating thoughts into cursor movements on his laptop. Smith’s BCI replaced an eye‑tracking system that required an infrared camera and worked only indoors.
Adding a Webcam Periscope
Seeking a way to view his environment, Smith researched webcams and chose an Insta360 Link 2, a conference‑style camera. Neuralink purchased the device and helped mount it to his wheelchair and computer. Custom‑built control panels were created so each click turned the camera three times faster—up to roughly 15 degrees per second—and a second panel allowed 0.5‑degree adjustments. The camera now serves as a periscope, letting Smith see children playing, facial expressions at dinner, and other daily moments.
User Experience and Daily Hacks
Smith uses a text‑to‑speech app, Proloquo4Text, to type responses letter by letter or via predictive words. He typically uses the BCI to talk to people in person or on the phone and to browse the web. To manage the cursor’s jitter, he parks it in a designated corner of the screen. Earlier in his life, Smith employed low‑cost solutions such as a dog‑bell for a nurse‑call function and a microphone to amplify his voice.
Insights from Other BCI Users
Nathan Copeland, a long‑time Blackrock Neurotech BCI user, describes his setup as a mix of software, a robotic arm, a custom controller, and voice commands to control lights and a TV. Ian Burkhart, who participated in a clinical trial at Ohio State University, now leads the BCI Pioneers Coalition. Both emphasize that BCI users often cobble together tools not originally designed to work together and that early collaboration with researchers can improve device design.
Future Outlook
Smith envisions BCIs blending seamlessly with smart‑home devices and robotic arms, eventually allowing thought‑controlled wheelchair operation. He believes the technology can re‑humanize ALS patients by restoring agency in a world where their bodies fail. The story underscores the creativity that disability can spark and the importance of user‑driven innovation in the evolving BCI landscape.