Marty talks about a new enterprise study that will use the AVP as a means for collecting EEG waves from people with neurological disorders, allowing them to communicate through the device.
“This Startup Wants to Put Its Brain-Computer Interface in the Apple Vision Pro” – Wiredhttps://www.wired.com/story/this-startup-wants-to-put-its-brain-computer-interface-in-the-apple-vision-pro/
Key Points
1. Who Cognixion is
- A California-based startup focused on non-invasive BCIs (EEG-based), avoiding surgical implants.
- Its mission is to enable communication for people with ALS, paralysis, and other conditions that limit speech.
- Previously built the dedicated Axon-R headset, tested with ALS patients.
2. Vision Pro Integration
- Cognixion is preparing a clinical trial with ~10 participants using a Vision Pro modified with their custom EEG headband.
- The system detects visual fixation and attention patterns so users can select items on-screen by focusing on them.
- A neural-computing pack worn at the hip processes the brain-signal data.
3. Role of AI
- Cognixion uses per-user generative-AI models trained on the user’s prior communication to predict words or phrases.
- In Axon-R trials, participants reached near-conversational communication speeds during multi-hour weekly sessions.
4. Opportunities & Challenges
Advantages:
- Non-invasive → less risk, potentially faster adoption.- Leverages a mainstream headset (Vision Pro) and its spatial-computing ecosystem.
- AI support can help overcome the low signal resolution of non-invasive EEG.
Challenges:
- EEG remains less precise than implanted BCIs, so decoding speed and reliability must improve.
- The hardware still involves extra components (headband, hip pack) and must be ergonomic and socially acceptable.
- Regulatory hurdles: moving from small clinical trial to FDA-approved assistive-tech product.
We’ll revisit this topic in an upcoming Vision ProFiles episode with more expert insights and discussion.
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