A 64-year-old amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient used a brain implant developed by Synchron to operate an Amazon’s Alexa with just this thoughts.
The new, brain-computer interface is implanted into a blood vessel on the surface of the patient's brain that gave him completely hands-free control over smart home devices, streaming television shows, playing music, video calling friends and even online shopping using only his thoughts.
This advancement demonstrates the potential of brain-computer interfaces to restore movement, independence and improve the quality of life for individuals with degenerative diseases such as ALS, which causes progressive muscle weakness and paralysis.
The patient, identified as Mark, expressed gratitude, saying “Being able to control my environment and access entertainment gives me back the independence that I’m losing.”
Tom Oxley, CEO of Synchron claimed prospects for the technology stating: "We’re sending control signals directly from the brain enabling patients to interact with devices using only their thoughts."
Elon Musk's Neuralink and several other companies are working on connecting brains with computers.
