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Study tests whether ALS patient’s brain signals can control smart-home devices
Summary by The Midland Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by LeAnne Gendreau , KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 20, 2026
· 2 min read
BALTIMORE (Aging Untold) — A man diagnosed with ALS more than a decade ago is participating in a clinical trial at Johns Hopkins Medicine testing a brain-computer interface, or BCI, that allows patients to control smart-home devices using only their brain signals. Tim Evans and his wife, Dee, rec...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Midland Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting LeAnne Gendreau, KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Tim Evans and his wife, Dee, received his ALS diagnosis on Valentine’s Day, 2014.
Why this matters in The Midland
The clinical trial at Johns Hopkins Medicine has significant implications for Midland residents living with ALS, a disease that affects many families in the Permian Basin area. As the study tests the brain-computer interface's ability to control smart-home devices, local caregivers and patients may soon have access to similar technology, potentially improving their quality of life. The fact that the BCI achieved a 90 percent accuracy rate in controlling devices like lights and televisions could mean greater independence for those with limited mobility. Midland's own medical community may take note of the study's findings, considering how such technology could be integrated into local healthcare services. As the Permian Basin's population ages, the demand for innovative solutions to support individuals with debilitating diseases like ALS will only grow, making this research particularly relevant to the region's healthcare landscape.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? BALTIMORE (Aging Untold) — A man diagnosed with ALS more than a decade ago is participating in a clinical trial at Johns Hopkins Medicine testing a brain-computer interface, or BCI, that allows patients to control smart-home devices using only their brain signals. Tim Evans and his wife, Dee, rec...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by LeAnne Gendreau at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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