Imagine controlling an iPhone or MacBook with nothing but thoughts. It may sound far-fetched, but Apple’s latest partnership suggests it could be closer than we think.
The tech giant has teamed up with neurotechnology firm Synchron, developing a brain implant that allows users to operate digital devices by thinking — no typing, tapping or swiping required.
What is brain-computer interface?
At the core of this breakthrough is a technology known as a Brain-computer interface (BCI). This system allows a person to control a device using their brain activity, without the need for muscle movements. Synchron’s device, called the Stentrode, is implanted via the jugular vein and navigates into a blood vessel near the brain’s motor cortex.
“This is transformative,” said Synchron CEO Tom Oxley. “We use the blood vessels as a natural highway into the brain, lacing them with electrodes that record activity. That platform becomes like Bluetooth for your brain, letting you control a device without needing a keyboard or mouse.”
The implications are significant, particularly for people with neurological conditions like ALS, spinal cord injuries or stroke. Thousands who have lost the ability to move or speak could regain a degree of independence through this technology.
Apple remains keen on addressing accessibility
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The market for Brain-computer interface technologies could reach $400 billion, addressing the needs of nearly 10 million people living with neurological disorders.
In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 15, Apple announced new accessibility features across its devices, including support for BCIs. The company is rolling out a protocol for its “Switch Control” feature. It would “allow users to control their device without physical movement.”
Apple has made accessibility a key part of its products for years, adding features that help people with disabilities use their devices. Recent updates include tools like Voice Control and Sound Recognition, and now, built-in eye tracking for iPhone and iPad. This lets users control their devices just by moving their eyes, using the front-facing camera.
Apple’s new support for brain-computer interfaces takes it up a notch, making it possible for users to control their devices without any movement.
A recent video on Synchron’s YouTube page shows the technology in action. An Australian man with ALS named Rodney, who has no use of his hands or voice, uses the Stentrode and Apple’s Vision Pro headset to send text messages, turn on lights and fans and even feed his dog — using only his thoughts.
More competition in potentially massive market
Synchron — backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos — isn’t alone in this space. Neuralink, co-founded by Elon Musk, is also developing a BCI. But unlike Synchron, Neuralink’s device requires invasive brain surgery. It involves the removal of a portion of the skull to implant a chip and sealing it back into place.
While interest in the field is rapidly growing, no fully implantable BCI has yet received approval by the Federal Drug Administration for commercial use. As part of its clinical trials, Synchron’s Stentrode has so far been implanted in 10 individuals — four in Australia and six in the U.S.
Industry experts say commercial approval could come as soon as 2030, with BCIs poised to “revolutionize” modern medicine. A recent report by Morgan Stanley also projects the market for BCI technologies could reach $400 billion, addressing the needs of nearly 10 million people living with neurological disorders.
