Brain-Computer Interface Coming to Apple Vision Pro
▼ Summary
– Startup Cognixion is launching a clinical trial of its noninvasive wearable brain-computer interface technology integrated with Apple Vision Pro to help paralyzed people with speech disorders communicate.
– Unlike Neuralink’s surgically implanted devices, Cognixion’s system uses a custom headband and an augmented reality app to read brain signals without invasive procedures.
– The trial will involve up to 10 U.S. participants with speech impairments from conditions like spinal cord injury, stroke, or ALS, aiming to translate thoughts into commands.
– Cognixion’s goal is to democratize access to BCI technology by making it low-risk and widely acceptable, as stated by CEO Andreas Forsland, who was inspired by his mother’s ICU communication struggles.
– Previous testing with the company’s Axon-R headset and generative AI software allowed ALS patients to communicate at near-normal conversation speeds, showing comfortable daily usability.
A groundbreaking clinical trial is set to explore how brain-computer interface technology, when paired with the Apple Vision Pro, could transform communication for individuals with paralysis-induced speech disorders. Startup Cognixion revealed plans to test its noninvasive BCI system, which captures brain signals and translates them into commands, offering a potential lifeline for those unable to speak due to conditions like spinal cord injury, stroke, or ALS.
Cognixion stands apart from competitors like Neuralink by focusing on noninvasive solutions rather than surgically implanted devices. Their approach combines a specialized augmented reality application with a custom-designed headband that detects neural activity. This hardware-software duo will be evaluated in a U.S.-based study involving up to ten participants with significant speech impairments.
The company’s mission centers on broadening access to assistive communication tools. Andreas Forsland, Cognixion’s CEO, emphasized that democratizing BCI technology requires minimizing risk and maximizing user acceptance. His commitment stems from personal experience: when his mother was hospitalized and unable to speak during a serious illness, he witnessed firsthand the devastating communication barriers between patients and caregivers. That ordeal inspired him to found Cognixion and develop systems tailored for people with speech motor disabilities.
Earlier this year, the company conducted tests using its proprietary Axon-R headset with ALS patients. The device incorporates generative AI that adapts to each user’s unique speech patterns. Participants achieved communication speeds close to that of typical conversation, using the BCI comfortably for multiple hours per day over several weekly sessions. These promising results pave the way for integrating similar capabilities with widely available hardware like the Vision Pro, potentially bringing thought-to-speech technology into mainstream reach.
(Source: Wired)
