Apple to develop brain-computer interface, following path laid by Elon Musk’s Neuralink

Apple is stepping into the brain-computer interface (BCI) space with a major announcement. The tech giant is developing a new technology that will eventually allow users to operate Apple devices like iPhones and iPads using brain signals, without needing to touch or physically interact with the device.

This move is part of Apple’s broader commitment to accessibility, with a focus on supporting individuals with significant motor impairments, such as those affected by spinal cord injuries or conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to The Wall Street Journal.

“At Apple, accessibility is part of our DNA,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a press release. “Making technology for everyone is a priority for all of us, and we’re proud of the innovations we’re sharing this year. That includes tools to help people access crucial information, explore the world around them, and do what they love.”


Apple vs Musk’s Neuralink

To drive its BCI efforts, Apple is collaborating with a startup named Synchron. The company has developed a device called the Stentrode—a tiny, stent-like electrode implant positioned within a vein near the brain’s motor cortex. It features 16 electrodes that detect brain activity.

By contrast, Elon Musk’s Neuralink is working on a more invasive approach. Its brain implant, the N1, is inserted directly into brain tissue and contains over 1,000 electrodes, allowing it to capture far more detailed neural data.

This difference in design leads to noticeably different user experiences. Mark Jackson, one of the first individuals to test the Stentrode, shared that the system doesn’t yet allow him to simulate using a mouse or touchscreen. As a result, navigating digital interfaces is significantly slower than with conventional input methods.

On the other hand, Neuralink, in March last year, demonstrated a more advanced level of interaction. In a livestream, Noland Arbaugh, the company’s first implanted patient, was seen playing an online chess game, controlling the cursor purely through his thoughts.

While Synchron’s technology may be at an earlier stage, it has already delivered some remarkable moments. According to the Wall Street Journal, Jackson, though unable to stand and not physically present in Switzerland, used an Apple VR headset connected to his brain implant to virtually gaze off a mountaintop in the Swiss Alps—and was even overcome by the sensation of his legs trembling.

“More is possible with a standard built specifically for these implants,” said Synchron CEO Tom Oxley. Apple is expected to unveil this new standard later this year, making it available to developers across the platform.