Backed by Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, neurotech company Synchron has demonstrated how its brain-computer interface (BCI) can empower people living with severe physical disabilities, allowing them to use digital devices with only their minds.
In a recent trial, Mark, a participant living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), successfully used the BCI to perform a range of everyday tasks – such as turning on lights, checking who was at the front door and changing TV channels – without the need for hand movements or voice commands. It’s a remarkable step forward in assistive technology, showing how thought alone can be harnessed to control smart devices.
The brain-computer interface works by translating the user’s thoughts into commands, which are then sent to an Amazon Alexa virtual assistant. By simply thinking about specific actions, users can navigate through options displayed on a tablet and engage with them in real time. For individuals living with conditions like ALS, which progressively limit physical abilities, the tech opens up new possibilities for independent living and control over their home environment.
Synchron has also connected Mark’s BCI to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and mixed reality headset the Apple Vision Pro. While the Apple Vision Pro usually requires hand gestures to operate, after integration with Synchron’s system, Mark was able to use just his thoughts to play games, watch TV and send messages.
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