A 64-year-old ALS patient named Mark has regained a sense of independence by controlling Amazon’s Alexa using only his thoughts.
This remarkable feat was achieved through an implant placed in a blood vessel on the surface of his brain, enabling him to “tap” icons on an Amazon Fire tablet mentally, as announced by Synchron, the brain-computer interface company behind the innovation.
Mark, who is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—a progressive disease that leads to muscle weakness and paralysis—can now perform daily tasks effortlessly. From making video calls and streaming shows to shopping online and controlling smart home devices like lights and thermostats, Mark does it all with his mind. “Being able to manage my environment and access entertainment gives me back the independence I’m losing,” he expressed in a press release.
This test highlights how the mind can serve as a direct communication pathway with Alexa-compatible devices. Synchron’s founder, Tom Oxley, stated, “While most smart home systems rely on voice or touch, we are directly sending control signals from the brain, allowing patients to interact with devices hands-free.”
Synchron joins other companies, including Elon Musk’s Neuralink, in developing brain-computer interfaces. Neuralink recently made headlines by implanting a chip in a man paralyzed after a diving accident, with Musk stating that they are progressing toward testing more patients.
