Apple has been quietly laying the foundation for brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for years… building a bridge between our thoughts and the digital world.
From early patents (2018) for EEG-integrated AirPods to their recent partnership with Synchron (2025), Apple is shaping a future where mind and machine blend seamlessly.
...and if you've been following me you know by now that I believe the future of design is all about hybridity, but I digress.
Developed by a company called Synchron, the Stentrode device is the breakthrough — offering a minimally invasive way to capture neural signals without brain surgery, making it a game-changer for those with severe mobility impairments.
Combined with Apple’s BCI Human Interface Device (HID) protocol, this collaboration, points to a future where controlling your iPhone, iPad, MacBook or Vision Pro headset with just a thought isn’t science fiction, but an everyday reality.
Apple’s vision goes far beyond just entertainment. I predict that within the next decade, Apple will roll out a "connected senses" platform with glasses (or contact lenses) that integrate immersive audio (AirPods), visual (Vision Pro), and haptic experiences (Apple Watch or Apparel), setting a new benchmark for multi-sensory entertainment and computing experiences.
And they won’t stop there, they’ll also commercialize these technologies to enhance the quality of life for those with physical challenges, including spinal cord injuries and hearing- and sight-impaired communities. I’m especially encouraged by this future.
A few years ago an extremely talented and long time employee of FreshForm became an instant quadriplegic in a tragic swimming pool accident. And more recently I’ve watched a good friend suffer a severe spinal cord injury due to a mountain biking accident.
Apple’s focus on quality design applied to health, wellness, and accessibility could be life-changing for people like my friends, as well as the aging community seeking to maintain independence.
The future is closer than we think.
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Read more Apple’s BCI protocol on Business Wire
#Innovation #BCI #Apple #FutureTech #Accessibility #experienceDesign #SpatialComputing
Written by
(Founder) Strategic Designer
