The Braingate system allows a paralyzed man to control external devices like a computer using only his thoughts. It works by implanting a chip containing electrodes on the motor cortex of the brain to detect neural signals. These signals are transmitted to an external processor that decodes the thoughts and uses them to control a cursor on a screen. The first human recipient was able to use it to operate devices like a TV or computer. While it provides independence, the Braingate system is expensive, requires risky brain surgery, and has limitations in speed and wireless capability.