Amazon’s Alexa has always been about the ease of voice control, but a recent breakthrough takes that convenience to an entirely new level: controlling Alexa with your mind.
Synchron, a company that has been pushing boundaries in accessibility, has unveiled a new innovation that allows an ALS patient to interact with Amazon’s virtual assistant without using their voice, hands, or any other physical inputs. This revolutionary development highlights the growing capabilities of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology and its potential to transform lives.
How does Synchron’s BCI work?
A video shared by the firm showcases the patient controlling a tablet with just his thoughts. By moving a cursor on the screen, the patient navigates to the “Tap to Alexa” feature and successfully turns off a desk lamp. This isn’t just about flipping a switch—it’s a clear example of how Synchron’s technology opens the door to controlling an entire smart home ecosystem with the mind. The patient can access Blink security cameras, make video calls, and even operate a Fire TV, all without needing to lift a finger or say a word.
The implications of this technology are immense. While the patient in the video can still speak and theoretically perform these actions with his voice, the significance of mind-controlled technology for individuals with more severe disabilities is undeniable. For someone who has lost the use of their voice or limbs, controlling a smart home through thought alone could be nothing short of life-changing. It offers a new level of autonomy and independence to those who were previously excluded from the convenience of smart technology.
A game changer for accessibility
The vast majority of smart home systems today are based on voice or touch input, a setup that excludes a significant number of people with physical disabilities. Synchron’s brain-computer interface challenges this status quo by bypassing the need for these inputs altogether. Instead of relying on voice commands or the touch of a screen, the system sends signals directly from the brain, allowing individuals to control smart devices simply by thinking about the actions they want to perform.
Synchron’s BCI is currently being used by at least six patients across the U.S. It offers a less invasive alternative to Elon Musk’s Neuralink, another brain-computer interface company. Unlike Neuralink, which involves surgically implanting a chip into the brain, Synchron’s approach doesn’t require brain surgery. Instead, the company’s device is implanted in the jugular vein, where it sends signals to the blood vessels on the brain’s surface. This makes the procedure far less risky and more accessible to a wider range of patients, which is a huge advantage for those hesitant about undergoing major surgery.
While Neuralink has generated a lot of buzz with its ambitious goals, Synchron’s BCI appears to be leading the way in practical applications. Its non-surgical, minimally invasive approach represents a significant leap in making mind-controlled technology more widely available. And as this video demonstrates, the technology is already making an impact in real-world settings.
Featured image credit: Kerem Gülen/Midjourney
