US-based neurotechnology company Synchron has announced the world’s first use of Amazon’s Alexa by a patient implanted with its brain-computer interface (BCI) technology.
The announcement follows the first use of Apple Vision Pro using Synchron’s BCI technology by a 64-year-old patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), named Mark, in July this year.
The same patient who used Apple Vision Pro also used his direct thoughts to control his smart home through the ‘Tap to Alexa’ feature on his Amazon Fire tablet.
Mark used Synchron BCI to select customised tiles that perform pre-set Alexa actions, without using hands and voice.
The actions include turning on and off lights, making video calls, playing music and shows, controlling smart home devices, reading books on Kindle, or purchasing items on Amazon.
Mark said: “The integration with smart technology and my BCI is something I’m really excited about. It’s hard to imagine living in our modern world without the ability to access or control connected devices like Amazon’s Alexa and Echo products that are so prevalent in my daily 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.”
The integration of Synchron’s BCI technology with Alexa allows those with severe paralysis to control their environment both inside and outside their homes, enhancing their independence.
Through the integration, the company aims to expand smart home automation and allow patients to use their thoughts to interact with a wide range of Alexa-compatible devices.
The devices may range from lights and plugs to thermostats and cameras, without the need for voice or physical interaction with a touchscreen.
Synchron’s BCI system is implanted in the blood vessel on the surface of the motor cortex of the brain through the jugular vein, over a minimally invasive endovascular procedure.
Once implanted, the implant will detect and wirelessly transmit motor intent out of the brain, to restore the capability for severely paralysed people to control personal devices hands-free.
Synchron CEO and founder Tom Oxley said: “Synchron’s BCI is bridging the gap between neurotechnology and consumer tech, making it possible for people with paralysis to regain control of their environment.
“While many smart home systems rely on voice or touch, we are sending control signals directly from the brain, bypassing the need for these inputs.
“We’re thrilled to utilise our BCI to access Alexa capabilities, so patients can interact with devices in their home hands and voice-free, using only their thoughts, to address a critical unmet need for millions of people with mobility and voice impairment.”
