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A groundbreaking moment in technology and accessibility has emerged as an individual named Mark, living with ALS (a condition that severely limits voluntary movement), successfully controlled an iPad using only brain signals. No physical touch, no voice commands, no eye tracking—just the power of thought.
Mark achieved this feat through a pioneering brain implant and Apple’s advanced brain-computer interface technology. The Synchron Stentrode device, placed in a blood vessel near the brain’s motor cortex via a minimally invasive procedure similar to stent procedures, picks up the brain’s movement signals and sends them wirelessly to a small decoder outside the body. Apple’s Brain-Computer Interface support in iOS 26 then translates these neural patterns into real-time actions on the device’s screen.
Until recently, even simple tasks like sending a text or browsing the web required significant assistance. Now, thanks to this groundbreaking technology, Mark can open apps, move through menus, and type messages just by thinking about them. This incredible leap is made possible by Apple’s iOS 26 support for brain-computer interfaces, which enables hands-free, thought-driven control.
One of the most compelling aspects of this approach is its minimally invasive nature. The Stentrode is inserted through a vein in the neck, reducing the risk and making the technology more accessible to patients around the world. Dr. Tom Oxley, co-founder of Synchron, describes the milestone as “a glimpse into the future of human-computer interaction.”
This is the first time the world has seen native, thought-driven control of an Apple device in action. Mark’s experience represents a technical breakthrough and a glimpse into the future where cognitive input becomes a mainstream mode of control.
Apple’s BCI capabilities are integrated directly into iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 as part of its accessibility features. The company also plans to release developer tools later this year, enabling the development of thought-controlled applications for various use cases. Even though it is not as fast as tapping a screen or using voice commands, the potential for people with conditions like ALS or spinal cord injuries is enormous.
This breakthrough marks a significant step toward a future where controlling devices with nothing but your thoughts is not just possible but could one day become a normal way for people to interact with technology.
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How did Mark control the iPad in this groundbreaking moment?
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