On the Convergence of BCI and Consumer Wearables

We are seeing a shift in Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) from purely clinical, invasive devices (like Utah arrays) to consumer-friendly form factors. Companies like Meta and Apple are investigating neural inputs via wrist-based electromyography (EMG) and ear-based EEG.

The “AirPods as a Platform” concept is particularly interesting. The ear canal is an excellent location for biological sensing—close to the brain for EEG, stable for motion artifacts, and vascularized for heart rate.