Apple is making strides toward a universal standard for brain implant technology that could enable users with disabilities to control devices like iPhones using only their thoughts. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the company intends to make this standard available to developers later in the year.
To bring this vision to life, Apple has partnered with neurotechnology company Synchron. The two are collaborating on a brain-computer interface (BCI) system that lets users navigate and operate digital devices entirely through neural activity—eliminating the need for physical input such as typing, swiping, or tapping.
What is a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)?
BCI technology allows communication between a person’s brain and an external device, bypassing the need for muscle movement. Synchron’s BCI device, known as the Stentrode, is introduced through the jugular vein and positioned within a blood vessel near the brain’s motor cortex.
This emerging technology has far-reaching potential, especially for individuals with conditions like ALS, spinal cord damage, or those recovering from strokes. For many who have lost the ability to move or speak, BCIs could offer a renewed sense of autonomy and interaction with the world around them.
Recognizing its transformative potential, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Synchron’s device a “breakthrough” designation. While not yet commercially available, the FDA acknowledges that such innovations could significantly improve the lives of people with severe physical impairments by enabling greater interaction with their environment.
Elon Musk’s Neuralink:
With this Apple is poised to enter the competitive landscape of brainwave-powered device control, positioning itself alongside Elon Musk’s ventures in the neurotechnology space. Musk’s brain-tech company, Neuralink, is working on advanced implants designed to help individuals with paralysis interact with digital devices using only their neural signals. The company’s technology involves surgically placing a chip directly into the brain to facilitate communication and control.
In a recent development, Neuralink publicly shared details about its third patient with quadriplegia who successfully received one of its brain implants, further demonstrating progress in its clinical trials and ambitions in the field.
Apple Expands Accessibility Toolkit:
Timed with Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 15, Apple announced a suite of new accessibility tools across its ecosystem. One major update includes support for BCIs through a new protocol for its existing “Switch Control” feature—allowing users to control their devices without any physical movement.
Accessibility has long been a cornerstone of Apple’s design philosophy. Recent updates include enhanced features such as Voice Control, Sound Recognition, and most recently, native eye-tracking on iPhone and iPad. This new feature enables users to control their devices simply by using eye movements detected through the front-facing camera.
Together, these developments underscore Apple’s commitment to building inclusive technology that empowers users of all abilities to connect, communicate, and navigate the digital world with greater ease and independence.