Silicon Valley startup Synchron Inc. has developed a unique brain chip. The chip can help people suffering from movement issues, or disabilities, do tasks that require movement by analyzing their brain activity. The company gave the sensor to Phil O’Keefe, a 60-year-old suffering from mobility issues to test its efficiency. According to O’Keefe, he agreed to join the trial to help others with his condition. “If it wasn’t for the trial, I’d be going stir crazy big time,” he said.
When he wants to open a document or click a link on his screen, all O’Keefe has to do is to think about tapping his left ankle. That thought will be collected by the sensors in his brain and relayed to a computer through devices in his chest. The signals collected by the brain chip are converted to a mouse click or any other action with the help of machine-learning software. Synchron’s brain chip, called the Stentrode, has the potential to cater to more mobility-related tasks in the future. The technology is in early stages, and its long-term safety still needs to be assessed. According to the company, it has done safety testing to mitigate risks.
Image credit: Synchron
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