Groundbreaking Developments in Brain-Controlled Technology by Apple
Apple is reportedly venturing into a groundbreaking technology that enables users to manage their iPhones and various smart devices through neural signals. This innovative project appears to be in collaboration with the neural technology firm, Synchron.
Targeting Accessibility for Users with Disabilities
This pioneering technology aims to assist individuals with conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by using brain implants that capture neural signals to control their iPhones and iPads. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, Apple is currently awaiting the FDA’s approval for this technology, while closely monitoring progress from competitors such as Elon Musk’s Neuralink.
Recent Enhancements in Accessibility Features
In parallel with this neural technology endeavor, Apple has recently expanded its suite of accessibility features across its devices, including the iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch. Noteworthy inclusions are the Magnifier app, Braille Experience, Accessibility Reader, Live Captions, and Enhanced View, allowing users to determine which accessibility features are compatible with specific applications.
How Synchron’s Stentrode Works
The core of this technology involves Synchron’s Stentrode. This device, equipped with electrodes, interprets brain signals and facilitates interaction with digital interfaces by translating these signals into actions, such as selecting icons on a screen. This operates in conjunction with Apple’s Switch Control Feature, akin to the Bluetooth accessibility functionality available for hearing aids, enabling communication between an iPhone and the user.
Real-World Applications and Use Cases
The Stentrode is implanted in a blood vessel situated near the brain’s motor cortex to decode neural signals, allowing users to control their devices through thought alone. An example of successful usage is Mark Jackson, an ALS patient who demonstrated the ability to control his iPhone and Vision Pro headset purely via brain signals.
Jackson described an extraordinary experience where he could virtually “peer over the ledge of a mountain in the Swiss Alps and feel his legs shake, ”all while being physically located in Pennsylvania. However, it’s important to note that the technology is still in its infancy, with limitations such as slow scrolling compared to typical device interaction.
Future Prospects and Developer Opportunities
Synchron’s CEO, Tom Oxley, disclosed that Apple intends to introduce a universal software standard by the end of this year. This move is expected to empower developers to create applications for brain-controlled interfaces, heralding a new era of interaction with technology.
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