A 64-year-old man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has become the first person to control Amazon’s Alexa using only his thoughts, thanks to a brain implant developed by Synchron, a brain-computer interface company. The implant, placed in a blood vessel on the surface of his brain, allows him to perform tasks such as controlling smart home devices, streaming content, and making video calls.

ALS is a degenerative disease that affects motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis. The implant, combined with an Amazon Fire tablet, enables Mark, the patient, to mentally command Alexa-compatible devices without needing to physically touch or speak to them. Mark expressed his gratitude, saying, “It gives me back the independence that I’m losing.”

Synchron’s system sends signals directly from the brain to control devices, eliminating the need for voice or touch. The technology was tested with the goal of allowing users to control their environments with brain signals alone.

This breakthrough is part of a larger movement in brain-computer interface development, with companies like Neuralink also exploring the potential for thought-controlled devices.