Apple and Synchron have publicly demonstrated a brain-controlled iPad for the first time. Using a neural implant and Apple’s BCI technology, a man with ALS navigates the iPad with only his thoughts, no hands, no voice.
Imagine Controlling Your iPad Just By Thinking, No Hands, No Voice, No Eye movement. That Future Is Here
For the first time, brain-computer interface (BCI) technology has been shown publicly in action on an Apple device, marking a groundbreaking leap in accessibility and cognitive-driven computing.
A New Era: Thought-Controlled iPad Demoed for the First Time
In a newly released video, Synchron, which is one of the world’s leading BCI developer, showcased a participant with ALS named Mark seamlessly navigating an iPad using only his thoughts. Mark controlled everything from opening apps to typing messages, without any physical movement or external input.
The feat is powered by Synchron’s Stentrode brain implant in combination with Apple’s accessibility feature, Switch Control, on iPadOS.
How It Works: Apple’s BCI HID Protocol and Synchron’s Stentrode
The system behind this innovation is as fascinating as the result:
- The Stentrode device is implanted in a blood vessel near the brain’s motor cortex using a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure (no open-brain surgery).
- This implant captures neural signals associated with motor intent, essentially, what the brain wants to do.
- Those signals are transmitted wirelessly to an external decoder.
- Apple’s BCI HID (Human Interface Device) protocol then bridges this cognitive input to the iPad, translating thought into on-screen control.
This closed-loop communication between brain signals and iPadOS dynamically updates based on on-screen content, allowing for real-time precision and responsiveness.
Apple and Synchron: A Growing Collaboration
While this marks the first public demonstration, Apple and Synchron have been working together for years:
- In 2024, Synchron successfully enabled brain-controlled navigation of the Apple Vision Pro.
- This collaboration expanded to support iPhones and iPads by integrating BCI support into Apple’s accessibility frameworks.
- Apple is expected to roll out full platform-wide support for the BCI HID protocol by late 2025, unlocking new possibilities for cognitive input on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS.
What Sets Synchron Apart from Neuralink?
While Elon Musk’s Neuralink tends to dominate headlines, Synchron’s technology offers a safer, more scalable path forward:
- Minimally invasive: No need for open-brain surgery. The Stentrode is inserted via the jugular vein.
- Already in humans: 10 patients across the U.S. and Australia have received implants under the FDA’s investigational device exemption.
- iOS Integration: Synchron is the first to showcase native Apple device control using cognitive input.
The Future of Accessibility, and Computing Itself
Dr. Tom Oxley, CEO of Synchron, called the demo a “technical breakthrough” and “a glimpse into the future of human-computer interaction.” And rightly so. What was once science fiction is now real: cognitive control is becoming a mainstream interface, unlocking new levels of independence for people with severe disabilities, and potentially reshaping how all users interact with technology in the coming decade.
Final Thoughts
This historic milestone is more than a medical breakthrough, it’s a preview of what’s coming to consumer tech. With Apple’s support, brain-computer interfaces are moving from experimental labs to real-life homes. Whether for accessibility, productivity, or immersive computing, thought-powered control is on the horizon.
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