Synchron today presented the first-ever public demonstration of an individual using an Apple iPad controlled entirely by thought.
The experience leverages Apple’s built-in accessibility features and new brain-computer interface human interface device (BCI HID) protocol. Synchron shared in May that it would become the first BCI maker to achieve native integration with the new Apple protocol.
Through their collaboration, Synchron and Apple sought to enable users implanted with Synchron’s Stentrode BCI system to control an iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro directly with their thoughts. It requires no physical movement or voice commands. This added to last year’s collaboration pairing Stentrode with the Apple Vision Pro.
Mark, a participant in Synchron’s COMMAND clinical study and a person living with ALS, used the BCI to operate the iPad. He navigated the device’s home screen, opened apps and composed text, all without using his hands, voice or eyes. This is possible through the BCI HID protocol from Apple. It leverages brain signals as a native input method for the first time.
“This is the first time the world has seen native, thought-driven control of an Apple device in action. 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,” said Dr. Tom Oxley, CEO and founder, Synchron.
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Apple’s built-in accessibility feature, Switch Control, along with Stentrode, enabled Mark’s use of the iPad. Stentrode — which is implanted through an endovascular approach — detects motor intention from blood vessels within the brain. Synchron says its BCI is the only one tapping into blood vessels to capture signals from the brain. The implant goes on the surface of the motor cortex of the brain via the jugular vein.
Synchron designed the system to allow for closed-loop communication. This enables an iPad, iPhone or Apple Vision Pro to share contextual screen data with the BCI decoder. In turn, it optimizes real-time performance to enable precise, intuitive control using just neural signals.
“When I lost the use of my hands, I thought I had lost my independence,” said Mark. “Now, with my iPad, I can message my loved ones, read the news, and stay connected with the world, just by thinking. It’s given me part of my life back.”
Synchron said the demonstration marks “a major advancement in assistive technology.” The company believes it offers a glimpse at the future of human-computer interaction. Additionally, it continues controlled rollouts of the BCI HID experience with clinical participants and expects broader availability to come.
“This marks a critical step in making BCI technology practical, scalable, and integrated into the global consumer ecosystem, moving beyond clinical trials into everyday life,” the company said.
