Overview

• In a public COMMAND trial demonstration, an ALS patient operated an iPad solely through thought using Synchron’s Stentrode implant and Apple’s BCI HID protocol.
• Synchron’s endovascular Stentrode device captures motor intentions from a blood vessel near the motor cortex and wirelessly transmits them as native inputs to iPadOS via Switch Control.
• As of August 4, the FDA-approved trial includes ten implant recipients across the United States and Australia, marking a significant clinical scale-up.
• Participant Mark Jackson reported regained independence by composing messages, reading news and navigating apps through neural commands without physical input.
• Policy experts urge a coordinated regulatory framework involving the FDA, FTC, HHS and other agencies to address privacy, cognitive liberty and ethical standards for consumer-facing BCIs.