New Era of Neurotech
LONDON — Thanks to Elon Musk and the innovative team he has assembled at Neuralink, Jon L. Noble, a 42-year-old British Army veteran and former paratrooper from Hampshire, has become the fifth UK patient to receive the company’s revolutionary N1 brain-computer interface implant. The procedure took place on December 11, 2025, at University College London Hospitals’ National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, as part of the ongoing GB-PRIME study launched last July.
From Application to Implantation
Noble, who served in elite airborne units before a spinal cord injury left him with severe paralysis, qualified through Neuralink’s patient registry. These are the beginning stages of trials, so the registry prioritizes stable candidates aged 22-75 with quadriplegia or similar impairments from trauma or ALS. Jon’s selection came after rigorous screening, including medical evals to ensure surgical viability and long-term participation in data collection.
In a September 3 X post, Noble expressed his determination: “Great news that Neuralink has just been given the green light to start trials on people with spinal cord injuries. I have submitted my application. @elonmusk NeuralinkUK.”
Rapid Recovery and Calibration
Hours after surgery, Noble began calibrating the coin-sized N1 device. Its 1,024 electrodes, threaded into his motor cortex, translate neural signals into cursor movements. He was discharged after just 12 hours and now trains remotely, with goals to control computers, games, and assistive technology using thought alone. His involvement embodies Neuralink’s compassion towards people who have served in the military, our veterans. Our heros.
Heartfelt Gratitude to the Driving Force Behind the Breakthrough
In a moving post-op update on X, Noble shared his profound appreciation: “To Elon Musk and all engineers, analysts, designers, and support staff att Neuralink worldwide: Thank you from the bottom of my heart… And of course my outstanding team at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London.”
Jon’s heartfelt acknowledgment reflects the beautiful impact of Elon’s leadership and the exceptional team he has built, turning his own ambitious ideas into life-changing realities for the people of Britain.
Accelerating Global Expansion
Neuralink’s UK trials, approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, have gained remarkable momentum since the first U.S. success in 2024. This is a testament to the drive to move fast that Elon Musk has instilled in the company. As of mid-December 2025, approximately 19 implants have been completed globally (around 12 in the US and 7 in the UK). The two most recent UK procedures have also been performed, though details on those recipients have not yet been publicly announced.
My thoughts
I anticipate dozens more participants and eventually, thousands of people regaining digital independence through neural intent alone, thanks to the doors being opened by Elon Musk and Neuralink. One reason I am optimistic, is that on Dec 3rd, Neuralink posted a previously unpublished video to X.
DJ Seo and our recruiting team visited several schools to provide an overview of Neuralink, including recent progress updates and an outline for the company’s path ahead. Watch the presentation:
I encourage you to watch the short presentation, in order to understand the challenges that face Neuralink, and follow along in real time. The progress and speed at which Elon works, is embedded with a sharp sense of urgency. The video is inspiring. It is like a mini-AI day, but instead of for Tesla, its for Neuralink!
whatsuptesla.com 