A brain implant makes it possible to control Alexa without using your hands or voice, just with your mind

A patient with a degenerative disease in the United States was able to direct Amazon’s Alexa virtual assistant with his mind to complete tasks such as watching streaming programs and controlling devicesdeveloper Synchron announced Monday.

An implant in a blood vessel on the surface of the 64-year-old man’s brain allowed him to mentally “tap” icons on an Amazon Fire tablet, said the company, which does what is known as brain-computer interface research.

He patient, who suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)was able to make video calls, play music, watch streaming shows, control smart home devicess like lights, shopping online and reading books using your mind to direct Alexa, according to the New York-based company.

ALS is a degenerative nerve disease that causes muscle weakness and paralysis.

“Being able to manage important aspects of my environment and control access to entertainment gives me back the independence I am losing,” the patient, whose only name is Mark, said in a statement.

The test was intended to show how users of the implant could use just their minds to control smart homes with Alexa-compatible devices such as cameras, plugs and thermostats, according to Synchron.

“While many smart home systems rely on voice or touch, we are sending control signals directly from the brain“We are committed to building a strong business,” the firm’s founder and chief executive, Tom Oxley, said in the statement.

“Patients can interact with devices in their home without needing hands or voice, using only your thoughts”.

Several companies, including Elon Musk’s Neuralink, are working on connecting brains to computers. In January, Neuralink installed a brain implant in a man paralyzed after a diving accident.

Musk, who also owns Tesla and X, called the implant a success. In July, he said his company was “moving forward” toward a second test patient as it improved its technology.