From gaming to learning new languages, brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is rapidly entering everyday life, making tasks like online shopping and streaming as simple as a thought. On September 17, Synchron, a competitor to Neuralink, announced that a clinical patient named Mark, who has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is now able to stream shows, shop online, and control devices using only his mind, thanks to the Synchron brain chip implant.
So how does this work? According to the company, a tiny chip implant was placed in a blood vessel on the brain’s surface, enabling the Synchron patient to mentally “tap” icons on an Amazon Fire tablet, giving him access to Alexa’s many features.
“Synchron’s brain-computer interface (BCI) device, also known as the Stentrode, is a minimally invasive device that detects brain signals related to movement intention,” said Kimberly Ha, Communications Lead at Synchron, in an email to The Debrief. “Once implanted in a blood vessel near the motor cortex, it translates these neural signals into digital commands.”
“For ALS patients, who often lose motor function, this technology allows them to control, enabling control of devices like Amazon Alexa or Apple Vision Pro, through thought alone,” Ha explained.
According to the New York-based company, Mark could also make video calls, play music, control smart home devices like lights, and read books by using his mind to control Alexa.
This is a significant first for Synchron and a development that has given them a platform to showcase their advanced brain interface technology.
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