Neuralink's 22nd implantee controls a Matic robot vacuum with his thoughts
量子位 · wechat · 2026-11-04
Robot vacuum maker Matic released a video of Neuralink's 22nd implantee, ALS patient Zach McManus, controlling a Matic vacuum with his thoughts alone. Zach received the N1 brain implant in the PRIME trial — regaining phone control 28 hours after surgery — and challenged Matic at an XTakeover event to make his Neuralink work with their robot.
Unlike lidar-based disc vacuums, Matic stands taller with five RGB cameras, builds local 3D maps, and identifies carpets, cables, pet toys and liquid spills to decide on vacuuming or mopping. It costs $1,495 and still can't clean under sofas. Founders Navneet Dalal and Mehul Nariyawala, ex-Google Nest, spent nine years building it; the company has 100+ employees and $115M raised.
The piece also cites other Neuralink users: Jake Schenider mind-driving his wheelchair outdoors, Nick using a robotic arm to drink and scratch, and Brad Smith watching his son's full game via eye-controlled wheelchair.
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