Mind-reading headphones may sound like a concept straight out of a science-fiction film, but that’s precisely what the Boston-based startup Neurable has been developing over the past nine years.
These innovative headphones, named the MW75 Neuro, are set to go on sale this fall.
The MW75 Neuro headphones incorporate sensors similar to those found in a bulky electroencephalogram (EEG), a device used to measure electrical activity in the brain.
Integrated with artificial intelligence (AI), these headphones translate brain activity into actionable information, which is then accessible through an app.
Typically, EEGs are utilized for diagnosing medical conditions such as epilepsy, strokes, or traumatic brain injuries.
Neurable aims to create an “everyday brain-computer interface” designed to assist individuals dealing with burnout, fatigue, and productivity issues, according to Ramses Alcaide, the company’s CEO and co-founder.
Alcaide describes these smart headphones as a “Fitbit for your brain,” capable of tracking cognitive health and potentially detecting early signs of neurodegenerative diseases.
The MW75 Neuro comes in four colors, including silver, and its ear-cups contain EEG sensors that can monitor brain activity to determine whether the user is focused or distracted.
Neurable was established in 2015, evolving from Alcaide’s research at the University of Michigan’s Direct Brain Interface Laboratory, where he completed his PhD.
Alcaide notes that it took ten years of research and data from approximately 7,000 people to miniaturize EEG technology into a headphone ear-cup while maintaining accuracy.
The sensors in the MW75 Neuro detect various brainwaves, and the AI interprets these signals to determine a person’s level of focus.
This could potentially revolutionize productivity, as the app gamifies mental resilience by awarding “focus points” based on cognitive performance throughout the day. Users are encouraged to build discipline and good habits through this system.
By detecting mental fatigue in real-time, the headphones can prompt users to take breaks, leading to increased productivity without experiencing burnout by day’s end.
Neurable has collaborated with the audiophile brand Master & Dynamic to develop these brain-reading headphones, embedding their technology into MW75 noise-canceling headphones.
Priced at $699 per pair, the headphones are available for pre-order and will be released later this fall.
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), often discussed in their invasive form involving brain implants, have been around for decades.
While these invasive BCIs can aid in recovery from strokes, spinal cord injuries, and other neurological conditions, they carry risks that may not be justified for all patients, says Miguel Nicolelis, a neurobiology professor emeritus at Duke University, who is not involved with Neurable.
Nicolelis, a pioneer in invasive BCI research, emphasizes that non-invasive BCIs, such as those used in Neurable’s headphones, can provide sufficient data on brain health through electrodes on the scalp.
Although the resolution is lower and more computational work is required, non-invasive methods are safer, more affordable, and scalable.
Non-invasive BCIs could potentially reach a vast number of people in the future, assisting with productivity, overcoming distractions, and diagnosing and managing brain disorders.
As BCIs remain a nascent field, ethical concerns regarding data usage and security are significant. Alcaide asserts that ethical data management is central to Neurable’s operations.
Co-founder Adam Molnar, a tech entrepreneur with expertise in data policy, ensures the company’s compliance with GDPR, the European Union’s data protection law, and is working towards HIPAA compliance for sensitive health data protection.
Neurable encrypts the data it collects and anonymizes it. The data, similar to that gathered by an EEG, cannot be used to read inner thoughts.
Nicolelis dismisses fears that BCIs will lead to enhanced cognitive abilities for those who can afford them, calling such claims “total fantasy.”
The MW75 Neuro is already in use at Healthspan Digital, a longevity clinic in Dubai, where it is employed to assess cognitive health and assist clients with stress and burnout.
Deena Al Jassasi, director of human performance and brain health at the clinic, notes that the headphones are less intimidating than traditional BCIs or EEGs, which require cumbersome setup.
Beyond boosting productivity, Neurable’s headphones can identify cognitive irregularities, facilitating early intervention and diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Neurable plans to license its technology, for which it holds numerous patents, and has recently raised $13 million in funding to look through additional wearable applications.
Alcaide envisions a future where any head-worn device could harness brain data to enhance user interaction and focus.
“Our vision is that, whether it’s headphones, earbuds, or helmets — if it touches your head, you have the potential to be empowered with that data,” Alcaide concludes.
