In a world first, a man has controlled an iPad using his mind
In a huge step for mind control, Synchron has published a video that shows a person successfully using a brain-computer interface (BCI) to control his iPad. This is the first public demonstration of Apple’s BCI HID protocol in action, a major leap forward in assistive technology and the future of human-computer interaction.
What Mark can do
The patient, Mark, lives with ALS and received his Synchron BCI implant in August 2023. In the video you’ll watch as he navigates his iPad’s Home Screen, opens apps and composing messages.
“This is the first time the world has seen native, thought-driven control of an Apple device in action,” said Dr. Tom Oxley, CEO and Founder, Synchron. “Mark’s experience is a technical breakthrough, and a glimpse into the future of human-computer interaction, where cognitive input becomes a mainstream mode of control.”
This device is implanted to pick up brain instructions
What drives this
The collaboration between Apple and Synchron was announced last May when the partners introduced a BCI human interface device (BCI HID) protocol designed to integrate with Apple products. It’s even Bluetooth compatible.
It works by connecting Apple’s Swtich Control to Synchron’s Stentrode implant, which detects and actions thoughts of required action directly from the brain. These signals are sent to an external decoder whch then shares them with the device. It’s powerful as it means those with limited motor skills gain access to the benefits of tech.
What this means?
“This marks a defining moment for human-device interaction. BCI is more than an accessibility tool, it’s a next-generation interface layer,” said Dr. Tom Oxley, CEO and Co-Founder, Synchron, when announcing the partnership last May.
“Apple is helping to pioneer a new interface paradigm, where brain signals are formally recognized alongside touch, voice and typing. With BCI recognized as a native input for Apple devices, there are new possibilities for people living with paralysis and beyond.”
All this is true while also being a realization of the kind of human-computer brain interface once imagined by original Macintosh inventor, Jef Raskin. It may also become a defining technology for future tech innovation.
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