Apple is reportedly preparing to integrate support for brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) into its accessibility framework. According to The Wall Street Journal, the tech giant is collaborating with Synchron, a neurotechnology startup, to enable users to control Apple devices like iPhones and iPads using brain signals. This initiative primarily targets individuals with severe motor impairments, such as those suffering from ALS. Synchron’s implantable device, the Stentrode, is placed in a blood vessel near the brain’s motor cortex via the jugular vein. It uses 16 electrodes to detect motor-related neural activity without requiring invasive brain surgery. These signals are then translated into digital commands, allowing users to interact with Apple devices through thought alone. One participant with ALS has already tested this technology using an Apple Vision Pro. Apple plans to incorporate BCI support into its Switch Control accessibility framework by 2025, aiming to establish a dedicated industry standard. This approach contrasts with Neuralink’s more invasive method, which embeds over 1,000 electrodes directly into the brain tissue for higher-resolution neural data.
— new from MacRumors
