Apple is reportedly looking towards a future where users might control their iPhones purely through thought, somewhat mirroring Elon Musk’s Neuralink ambitions, according to a major U.S. daily.
The tech giant is said to be collaborating with Synchron, a company specializing in brain interfaces, which has created a stent-like device known as the Stentrode. This device is implanted in blood vessels close to the brain’s motor cortex and interprets brain signals to operate digital devices. This technology has the potential to significantly enhance life for individuals with severe spinal cord injuries, as well as those recovering from ALS or strokes.
These brain implants function by detecting brain activity and converting it into digital commands. Termed a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), they allow for direct communication between the brain and devices. Essentially, when someone thinks about a specific action, their brain sends out signals that the BCI captures using sensors to carry out tasks like moving cursors, typing, or launching apps, all without any physical touch.
The Stentrode interface integrates with Apple’s existing “Switch Control” feature, which could transform user interactions with devices from joystick controls to brain signals.
Tom Oxley, CEO of Synchron, mentioned to the Wall Street Journal that currently, BCI developers must cleverly interpret signals from implants that mimic mouse inputs.
He also noted that Apple’s forthcoming standard, which is anticipated to debut later this year, will streamline the process for developers to connect implants directly to devices.
One early user, Mark Jackson, who has ALS, uses a Synchron device to manage his iPhone and Apple Vision Pro headset from home. Although he faces challenges in mobility, the brain implants afford him novel ways to interact with Apple’s ecosystem. He shared his experience, saying, “I can peer into the shelves of mountains in the Swiss Alps and feel my feet shaking.”
Meanwhile, Neuralink has already placed its N1 device in a human. This implant, featuring over 1,000 electrodes, gathers significantly more data than the 16 electrodes of Synchron’s device. Initial users of Neuralink have shown faster cursor movement compared to traditional mouse users.
Musk envisions a future where these implants might enhance cognitive abilities, enabling individuals to keep pace with advanced artificial intelligence.
Morgan Stanley projects that around 150,000 Americans with severe upper limb disorders could become the first recipients of this brain implant technology. They estimate that commercial approvals might occur by 2030, though Synchron’s CEO is optimistic it could happen even earlier.
