ALS patient uses brain chip to control Alexa, shop, stream with just thoughts

A groundbreaking innovation has enabled a man with a degenerative disease to command Amazon’s Alexa using only his mind.

On Monday, Synchron, a brain-computer interface (BCI) company, announced this development, revealing that the 64-year-old patient, diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), can stream shows, control devices, and even shop online without lifting a finger.

This technological marvel was made possible by a tiny implant placed in a blood vessel on the surface of the man’s brain.

By using this implant, the patient can mentally “tap” icons on an Amazon Fire tablet, giving him access to Alexa’s wide range of features.

This milestone marks the first time that a BCI has been used to interact with smart home technology, showcasing the potential of Synchron’s innovative platform.

A new era of independence for ALS patients

ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that progressively weakens muscles and leads to paralysis, leaving patients increasingly dependent on others for their daily needs. For Mark, the patient involved in the trial, this new technology has restored a sense of control and independence in his life.

“To be able to manage important aspects of my environment and control access to entertainment gives me back the independence that I’m losing,” Mark said in a release from Synchron.

The BCI technology allows him to perform tasks that would otherwise be impossible, such as making video calls, playing music, controlling lights, and even reading books—all by simply thinking about what he wants to do.

By directing his thoughts to Alexa, Mark can perform everyday activities without any physical effort, offering hope to others suffering from similar conditions.

According to Synchron, this test showcases how people could one day control their smart homes without relying on voice commands or touchscreens. Instead, signals sent directly from the brain could manage Alexa-compatible devices like door cameras, plugs, and thermostats.

This hands-free, voice-free system is poised to revolutionize the way individuals with limited mobility interact with technology in their homes.

The BCI Implant Procedure

Synchron’s BCI is implanted through a minimally invasive endovascular procedure.

The device is placed in the blood vessel on the surface of the motor cortex of the brain via the jugular vein.

Once implanted, it detects and wirelessly transmits motor intent from the brain. This technology aims to restore the ability of severely paralyzed individuals to control personal devices with a point-and-click mechanism that does not require physical movement.

A glimpse into the future of brain-computer interfaces

The idea of merging the human brain with technology is not new, and several companies are racing to develop brain-computer interfaces that could transform lives. Elon Musk’s Neuralink is one such company making strides in this field.

Earlier this year, Neuralink successfully implanted a brain chip in a man paralyzed after a diving accident, allowing him to control a computer with his mind. Musk has been vocal about the potential of Neuralink’s technology, which he says could one-day help paralyzed individuals regain control over their environments.

In July, he revealed that the startup is progressing with its second test patient, who has already used the brain chip to play the popular PC game Counter-Strike 2. The second patient’s ability to remotely control a mouse on his laptop offers a glimpse into the future of digital interaction through thought.

“While many smart home systems rely on voice or touch, we are sending control signals directly from the brain,” said Synchron founder and CEO Tom Oxley. “Patients can interact with devices in their home hands and voice-free, using only their thoughts.”

The collaboration between medical technology and digital assistants like Alexa could pave the way for a new era in healthcare and home automation. For those living with disabilities, these innovations promise a higher quality of life and greater autonomy, enabling them to engage with their surroundings in ways previously thought impossible.