Brain-Computer Interface: Apple, Amazon Partner with Synchron

How can humans and machines interact more seamlessly? Whether it's diving deeper into virtual worlds or controlling devices with our minds, Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) have long been a promising technology. Just like in "Ghost in the Shell," where Major Motoko Kusanagi connects to the network by plugging a cable into her neck, BCIs are moving from sci-fi to reality. Excitingly, a new animated version of this iconic series is set to release next year, and BCI technology is quietly catching up.

BCIs can be categorized into non-invasive, semi-invasive, and invasive types. We've previously discussed how streamer Perrikaryal plays "Elden Ring" using her mind. The latter two types, which offer stronger signals and cover more brain areas, are the current focus of research in Brain-Computer Interface technology.

Other than the efforts we mentioned previously by Valve's founder Gabe Newell and the BrainGate2 project led by UC Davis, Elon Musk's Neuralink is still the major player. However, it faces stiff competition from Synchron, which uses minimally invasive procedures and integrates with ecosystems like Apple, OpenAI, and Amazon, potentially outpacing Neuralink in practical applications.

Honestly, the brain-machine tech in 'Ghost in the Shell' looks pretty terrifying... (Source: CatchPlay)

Synchron: Low Invasiveness, No Craniotomy Needed

Originating from Australia and headquartered in New York, Synchron's vision is clear from its name: combining "sync" and "neuron" to enhance human capabilities with neurotechnology. Their research focuses on helping those with ALS or spinal cord injuries regain daily life rhythms through Brain-Computer Interface advancements.

Unlike Neuralink's craniotomy-required system, Synchron offers a "minimally invasive" approach, categorized as semi-invasive, consisting of three devices.

The key device, Stentrode, resembles a small metal mesh tube. Doctors insert it through a catheter via the user's jugular vein, passing behind the ear, and finally placing it near the brain's motor cortex, which controls voluntary movements.

Next, a small rectangular device is implanted under the collarbone to receive and process brain signals, transmitting data externally via infrared. A chest-worn receiver collects these signals and sends them to an external decoder, translating them into control commands. This allows users to play games, send messages, or shop online using their minds.

How effective is it? Users with ALS who have lost speech and motor abilities report that while it's not fast, it is usable.

Since users don't need to open their skulls or risk device contact with the brain cortex, recovery time is shorter. Synchron's technology is the first semi-invasive BCI approved by the US FDA for clinical trials.

Synchron's implantation method is low-risk and mature, gradually integrating with the Apple ecosystem. (Source: Synchron)

Integrating with Apple Ecosystem and AI Technology

Besides its low-risk appeal, Synchron's business strategy is clear: leverage existing tech platforms for rapid deployment. Last year, Synchron launched a generative chat feature powered by OpenAI. In May, they connected their device to Apple Vision Pro and integrated with Amazon Alexa. This allows users to "communicate" by selecting text via BCI or "think" to control headsets or voice assistants.

Synchron's next step is to integrate more Apple products, such as a Bluetooth protocol designed for BCIs, enabling automatic detection and connection to iPhones, iPads, or Vision Pro without pairing.

Synchron is solidifying its product moat by integrating with the Apple ecosystem. Currently, about 10 people use Synchron's BCI, which may seem small, but globally, only about 50 to 100 people have BCI implants. Synchron's leading position in Brain-Computer Interface technology is evident.

Additionally, Synchron is sharpening its AI integration. In March, at NVIDIA GTC 2025, they announced the development of a "brain foundational model" called Chiral™, which learns from neural data using generative pre-training. In simpler terms, it's teaching machines to "understand your thoughts from brainwaves."

Neuralink: Craniotomy Required, Higher Risk

You might wonder, what about Neuralink? As of June 2025, seven users have adopted Neuralink's BCI.

Compared to Synchron's neck vein insertion, Neuralink takes a more technically challenging route—drilling a hole in the skull and implanting microelectrode threads deep into the brain cortex.

Doctors first drill a coin-sized hole in the skull and remove the bone piece. Then, Neuralink's robotic arm, R1 Robot, takes over, precisely implanting hundreds to thousands of electrode threads into the brain's motor cortex. These threads connect to a circular device, "The Link," which is designed to fit into the skull opening, flush with the skull.

After implantation, doctors suture the scalp, leaving no visible trace. The device contains low-power chips that digitize brain signals in real-time and transmit them wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth) to computers or other devices, enabling "mind control" of external devices.

Pushing Boundaries and Pursuing Superhuman Capabilities

Because Neuralink uses invasive surgery, it can capture high-resolution, extensive neural signals, theoretically enabling more powerful functions. For example, Neuralink is developing "Telepathy" for mind-to-text communication and "Blindsight" to provide visual cortex stimulation for the visually impaired, creating "artificial vision."

Neuralink's high-risk, high-reward approach presents more challenges in practical applications. For instance, the first trial participant, Noland Arbaugh, experienced partial functionality due to electrode detachment. After complex algorithm tuning and software updates, functionality was restored and improved, but frequent recalibration is still needed. Overall, it hasn't reached everyday use stability.

The development paths and progress of the two companies are evident in their clinical trials. Synchron's COMMAND trial in the US is practical and stability-focused, aiming to see if disabled users can reliably perform daily tasks with brain intent. Neuralink's PRIME trial leans towards experimentation and technical exploration, aiming to prove the feasibility of high-density electrode signals and their ability to decode and control complex interfaces.

In summary, Synchron is more simple, pursuing stability and practicality, allowing for earlier commercial deployment. Neuralink, being more complex and refined, is still in the technology polishing stage but has great potential.

RJ, a participant in the PRIME trial, was paralyzed due to a motorcycle accident. (Source: University of Miami)

Comparing Synchron and Neuralink

Insurance Policies, VR, AI: Accelerating BCI Adoption

Where's the breakthrough for BCIs? Currently, BCIs have a "just need" to help ALS, spinal cord injury, and other severely paralyzed individuals reconnect with daily life. However, due to new technology and high costs, insurance companies or regulatory bodies might be a significant push for BCIs.

The closer a technology is to practical scenarios, the more likely it is to gain recognition from medical systems and insurance policies, which is Synchron's current advantage. Additionally, VR headsets, spatial computing, and AI technology enhance BCIs. As Mark Jackson, who has a Synchron implant, said, using BCIs to operate headsets and enter virtual worlds is his most satisfying use case.

Nevertheless, for BCIs to become everyday technology like in "Ghost in the Shell," where everyone uses them seamlessly, it might not happen soon—remember, the future depicted in that work is quite dark. In that world, people aren't upgrading their brains voluntarily but are forced to adapt to an increasingly fast and complex system.

Another fundamental question is: even if the human brain combines with machines, can it keep up with such speed? A study published last year by a Caltech team "The Unbearable Slowness of Being: Why Do We Live at 10 Bits/s?" suggests that whether it's perception, action, or thought, the overall human behavior output rate is only about 10 bits per second. How slow is that? It's 5,600 times slower than dial-up internet speeds, closer to a telegraph operator slowly tapping Morse code. If this research is accurate, most current BCI research directions may need to adjust their goals.

Looking back at Synchron and Neuralink, while both are at the forefront of Brain-Computer Interface technology, they represent two distinct paths: one is pragmatic, focusing on helping patients who truly need it; the other is betting on the future, attempting to redefine the boundaries between humans and technology. This research on "human brain output speed" may directly impact the latter's superhuman imagination.

What about you? Are you looking forward to the day when machines officially connect to your brain?

Mark Jackson, with a Synchron BCI implant, selects response text using his mind from a ChatGPT-generated 'possible responses' menu. (Source: Synchron)