Synchron integrates brain-computer interface tech to Amazon Alexa

A patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has successfully used Synchron’s brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to control his smart home. Utilizing the BCI and the Tap to Alexa feature on an Amazon Fire tablet, the patient can turn on lights, make video calls, play music, read books, and shop online without using his hands or voice.

Synchron is testing the integration of its BCI with Alexa to assist individuals with severe paralysis in managing Amazon’s smart devices. The BCI, implanted in a blood vessel on the motor cortex, detects and wirelessly transmits motor intent signals from the brain.

Mark, a 64-year-old patient, is the first person in the world to use Amazon Alexa through an implantable BCI. Synchron plans to present preliminary data from its COMMAND trial at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons annual meeting in Houston. The company is also working with the FDA to develop standardized approaches for BCI technology.