A 64-year-old patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can now control Amazon's Alexa using a brain implant, according to Synchron, the company behind the innovation.

This implant, situated in a blood vessel on the surface of the patient's brain, enables him to tap icons on an Amazon Fire tablet mentally, allowing him to stream shows, make video calls, control smart home devices, shop online, and read books.

The initiative demonstrates the potential of using brain-computer interfaces to manage smart homes without voice or touch, providing significant independence to individuals with degenerative diseases.

Synchron’s CEO, Tom Oxley, highlighted that the technology sends control signals directly from the brain, bypassing the need for traditional input methods.

Similar advancements are being pursued by companies like Elon Musk's Neuralink, which has also successfully implanted brain devices in paralyzed patients.