Apple is collaborating with Synchron, a company developing brain-computer interface technology, to enable users to control devices like iPhones and iPads using neural signals. This initiative aims to assist individuals with severe physical disabilities, such as those with ALS or spinal injuries, by providing more accessible interaction with technology.
The Synchron device, known as the Stentrode, is implanted in a vein near the brain’s motor cortex and reads brain signals, translating them into digital commands. This system integrates with Apple’s operating system through a feature called switch control. An early tester, Mark Jackson, who has ALS, is already using the system to navigate devices and virtual environments, although with some limitations in speed and functionality.
Apple is developing a new standard for BCI integration, set for release later this year, aiming to optimize communication between implants and its devices. Regulatory approval for such technology is anticipated around 2030, with Synchron hoping to achieve it sooner. Approximately 150,000 Americans could be early beneficiaries of this technology.