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Brain implant breakthrough helps ALS man talk – and sing – again

In another advancement in the field of brain-computer interfaces (BCI), a new implant-based system has enabled a paralyzed person to not only talk, but also 'sing' simple melodies through a computer – with practically no delay.

In another advancement in the field of brain-computer interfaces (BCI), a new implant-based system has enabled a paralyzed person to not only talk, but also 'sing' simple melodies through a computer – with practically no delay. This bit, demonstrated in a video supplied by the researchers, appears rudimentary, but it feels wrong to use that word to describe such a remarkable development in enabling nuanced communication among paralyzed people who may have felt they'd never express themselves naturally again. The UC Davis researchers note that their study only involved a single participant, and their subsequent work will see them attempt to replicate these results with more subjects exhibiting speech loss from other conditions.

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