A groundbreaking moment in technology and accessibility has emerged, as an individual has successfully controlled an iPad using only brain signals. There was no physical touch involved, no voice commands, no eye tracking – just the power of thought. The individual, named Mark, living with ALS, a condition that severely limits voluntary movement, has managed to use Apple’s new brain‑computer interface (BCI) protocol and Synchron’s implantable Stentrode device to communicate with an iPad via just his thoughts.
A pioneering brain implant and Apple’s iPadOS 26 unlock hands‑free, thought‑driven control for people with severe mobility challenges
Until recently, even something as simple as sending a text or browsing the web was a challenge that required a lot of help, but now, thanks to a groundbreaking brain implant and Apple’s advanced brain‑computer interface technology, Mark can open apps, move through menus, and type messages just by thinking about them. This incredible leap is made possible by the Synchron Stentrode – a tiny device placed in a blood vessel near the brain’s motor cortex. It picks up the brain’s signals for movement 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.
One of the most compelling aspects of this approach is its minimally invasive nature, as the Stentrode is inserted through a vein in the neck, similar to stent procedures, which eliminates the need for open‑brain surgery. This greatly reduces the risk and makes 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 is a technical breakthrough and a glimpse into the future of human‑computer interaction, 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, and the company also has plans to release developer tools later this year, enabling the development of thought‑controlled applications for a wide range of 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 huge. This breakthrough marks a big step toward a future where controlling devices with nothing but your thoughts is not just possible, but it could one day become a normal way for people to interact with technology.
