Marketplace Tech The startups bringing brain-computer interfaces to market
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Jun 3, 2025 Christopher Mims, a tech journalist at The Wall Street Journal, dives into the fascinating world of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). He discusses the latest advancements that allow paralyzed individuals to control prosthetics and communicate through brain implants. Mims highlights the competition between startups aiming to make these technologies less invasive compared to more complex methods. He also addresses the significant investments required to turn innovative concepts into viable medical devices while considering the ethical and regulatory hurdles in this rapidly evolving field.
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Varied Invasiveness of BCIs
- Brain-computer interfaces vary in invasiveness, from deep electrode implants to non-invasive devices sitting between the skull and brain.
- More invasive implants tend to capture more precise neural signals but carry greater surgical risk and complexity.
Trade-Offs Between Invasiveness and Signal Quality
- More invasive brain implants generally yield better signal quality but risk damaging neurons.
- Less invasive implants are safer but provide less precise control, limiting applications like thought-to-text.
Synchron’s Less Invasive Brain Implant
- Synchron uses a less invasive approach by implanting a stent with electrodes inside a brain blood vessel.
- This method offers safety benefits but only allows coarse commands like "click" inside Apple's Vision Pro headset.