On August 6th， Apple officially unveiled its brain-computer interface (BCI) technology， developed in collaboration with the American startup Synchron. This groundbreaking partnership marks a significant step forward in assistive technology and human-computer interaction.
The collaboration has enabled Mark， a patient suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)， to become the first person globally to remotely control an iPad using his “brainwaves.” This was achieved through the implantation of Synchron’s Stentrode device and the implementation of a new protocol， demonstrating a remarkable leap in overcoming physical limitations.
This technological advancement has sent ripples of excitement throughout the global tech community， highlighting the potential for BCI to revolutionize how individuals with severe motor impairments interact with the digital world.
Synchron’s Stentrode device is designed for minimally invasive implantation within the blood vessels of the brain’s motor cortex. This approach bypasses the need for open brain surgery， significantly reducing surgical risks and recovery time. The device autonomously captures neural signals in real-time.
These captured brain signals are then translated into digital commands. This data is wirelessly transmitted to a decoder， which ultimately interfaces with iPadOS or iOS through Apple’s proprietary BCI Human Interface Device (HID) protocol. This seamless integration process is crucial for enabling intuitive control.
This innovative technology offers renewed hope for individuals who have lost mobility due to illness or injury. Beyond its immediate applications in assistive technology， it also paves the way for entirely new paradigms in human-computer interaction， potentially impacting various fields in the future.
The protocol is slated for broader support across more Apple devices starting in 2025， signaling a future where “mind-wave control” could become an integrated part of daily life， enhancing accessibility and user experience.
To date， the Stentrode has been successfully implanted and tested in 10 patients across the United States and Australia， and has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical trials. This regulatory endorsement is a critical step in the validation and widespread adoption of such advanced medical technologies.
Compared to other emerging BCI technologies， such as Elon Musk’s Neuralink， Synchron’s approach emphasizes a “low-risk， low-barrier” entry point. This focus on accessibility and reduced invasiveness suggests a greater potential for widespread adoption and could democratize access to BCI for a wider range of individuals.
