Tue Sep 17 06:22:22 UTC 2024: ## Paralyzed Man Controls Alexa with His Thoughts, Thanks to Brain Implant
**New York, NY** – A 64-year-old man living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has made history by becoming the first person to control an Amazon Alexa digital assistant using only his thoughts. This breakthrough was achieved through a brain-computer interface (BCI) implanted by Synchron, a neurotech startup based in Brooklyn.
Mark, the ALS patient, has been able to control an Amazon Fire tablet using the Synchron BCI. He can stream shows, make video calls, play music, operate smart home devices, shop online, and even read books by mentally selecting icons on the tablet.
The implant, which was inserted into a blood vessel on the surface of Mark’s brain via the jugular vein, allows him to transmit motor commands wirelessly from his brain to various devices.
“The integration with smart technology and my BCI is something I’m really excited about,” said Mark. “It gives me back the independence that I’m losing.”
Synchron hopes to expand the use of their BCI for smart home automation, offering a new level of independence to individuals with severe paralysis.
“We are sending control signals directly from the brain, bypassing the need for voice or touch inputs,” said Tom Oxley, CEO and Founder of Synchron. “This technology addresses a critical unmet need for millions of people with mobility and voice impairment.”
This achievement comes amidst a rapidly growing field of neurotechnology. Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain-computer interface company, has implanted a BCI in a human test subject, allowing the patient to control a computer cursor with their thoughts.
Researchers at Switzerland’s Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne have also developed a thought-to-text device with 91% accuracy.
The FDA, recognizing the rapid advancements in the field, recently held a workshop to discuss clinical outcomes assessments for BCIs.
This groundbreaking technology holds immense potential to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities, offering them greater independence and control over their environment.
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