California startup Cognixion has launched a clinical trial of its noninvasive brain computer interface (BCI) integrated with the Apple Vision Pro. The company aims to help people with paralysis and speech disorders communicate using brain signals, without requiring surgery.
A noninvasive alternative to brain implants
Unlike implant-based BCIs such as Neuralink, Cognixion’s approach combines software and a custom EEG headband that replaces the Vision Pro’s default strap. The system captures brainwave signals from the visual and parietal cortex, enabling users to select options in an augmented reality interface through mental focus alone.
CEO Andreas Forsland founded the company after his mother lost the ability to speak during a hospital stay, which exposed communication breakdowns in care. His team has since developed both a headset, the Axon-R, and an AI-powered speech app that personalizes itself to each user’s communication style. Early tests with ALS patients showed that participants could use the device for hours at a time and “speak” at near-normal conversational speed.
Apple’s role and wider competition
Apple recently enabled protocols that let people with severe mobility disabilities control devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro without physical movement. This opened the door for BCI developers to integrate their tools with Apple hardware. Rival startup Synchron has also paired its BCI implant with the Vision Pro.
Cognixion’s bet is that a noninvasive, software-driven model will reach patients faster than implantable chips, provided the trial demonstrates both safety and usability. The study includes up to 10 participants in the US with conditions such as ALS, spinal cord injuries, or stroke.
The challenge ahead
Noninvasive BCIs face technical hurdles: brain signals captured outside the skull are weaker and harder to decode reliably. Researchers note that this makes fast, accurate communication difficult. Cognixion hopes its adaptive AI can close that gap, building a personalized “communication proxy” for each patient.
If successful, the company could expand to a larger pivotal trial of around 30 patients to seek FDA clearance. While Neuralink and others push invasive hardware, Cognixion’s strategy focuses on accessibility and rapid adoption using the Vision Pro as both a testbed and a distribution channel.