People can control Apple's Vision Pro headset with their thoughts using BCI

People can now control Apple’s Vision Pro headset with their thoughts using a brain implant or brain-computer interface (BCI) by Synchron. Synchron is a neurotech startup that revealed it has linked the Apple Vision Pro headset to its bran implant.

BCI aims to enable paralyzed patients to control smartphones and computers with their thoughts. Six patients in the United States and four in Australia have had the company’s BCI implanted. However, it still needs approval to use BCI for commercialization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Excited to announce the first use of @Apple #VisionPro with a #BCI system. 🧠🧠
Mark, a 64-year old man with ALS successfully used his direct thoughts to control the cursor on the Apple Vision Pro.

Read the release: https://t.co/1YiJy5GRY5
— Synchron (@synchroninc) July 30, 2024

Apple introduced the Vision Pro headset earlier this year. Its usual modes of operation are hand gestures, voice commands, and eye movements. Regarding recent developments, Synchron has been working to make it usable for people unable to talk or move their upper limbs.

Thomas Oxley is the CEO of Synchron. He stated that the company’s original focus was on helping patients control devices with Apple’s ecosystem. He believes Apple’s IOS accessibility technology is the finest in its class.

Apple Vision Pro requires hand gestures to make selections on the screen. Synchron is testing a set of brain gestures derived directly from the BCI, to replace hand gestures, for people like Mark with limited limb function due to conditions like #ALS. https://t.co/DEeWAIdacP
— Thomas Oxley (@tomoxl) July 30, 2024

Thomas stated that although Sycnron is starting with the Vision Pro, it will probably work to connect its BCI with other headsets. He also mentioned that Apple has been “very supportive” of the Vision Pro Integration.

He also thinks BCI is well-placed to add huge value as a mutually beneficial integration into the Apple ecosystem. Because paralyzed people can now control Apple’s Vision Pro headset with their thoughts using BCI.

Exclusive: @synchroninc has connected its brain implant to @Apple's Vision Pro headset in an industry first. This means It’s now possible for patients with limited physical mobility to control the device using only their thoughts.

More here! 🧠https://t.co/rIKE1VppnI
— Ashley Capoot (@ashleycapoot) July 30, 2024

Click here to read the updates on the Delhi Surgeon who used Apple Vision Pro for bariatric surgery

However, open brain surgery is not necessary because Synchron’s BCI is implanted through the jugular vein of the patient. It applies to blood vessels located on the motor cortex surface of the brain.

An antenna lies beneath the skin of the chest, attached to a tube-like device. This antenna gathers raw brain data and transmits it to external devices.

Other businesses including Paradromics, Precision Neuroscience, Blackrock, Neurotech, and Elon Musk’s Neuralink are also developing their BCI systems. However, they have different goals and designs being participants in a very competitive BCI market.