Cognixion Featured in WIRED for Apple Vision Pro Brain-Computer Interface Clinical Trial
Cognixion, a neurotech healthtech startup based in Santa Barbara, was featured in WIRED for launching a clinical trial that brings its non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to the Apple Vision Pro. The story by WIRED science writer Emily Mullin explores how this integration could help paralyzed patients with speech disorders communicate using only their thoughts, and most importantly without surgery.
What Cognixion Said
Cognixion CEO Andreas Forsland shared how his mother’s illness sparked the idea to build technology that restores communication for people with severe disabilities. “In order to democratize access, you need to do it in such a way that’s the least risky and the most acceptable for adoption for the majority of people,” he told WIRED.
Their trial combines an EEG-embedded headband, custom AI software, and a modified Apple Vision Pro to interpret visual fixation brain signals – letting users navigate and communicate through mental attention alone.
Why It Matters
While most BCI players (i.e., Neuralink, Synchron) are pursuing surgically implanted chips, Cognixion is charting a non-invasive, wearable path, one that’s safer, faster to deploy, and more scalable for real-world use. This WIRED article positions Cognixion at the forefront of ethical neurotech innovation, combining AI, assistive tech, and mainstream hardware to unlock communication for those who need it most.
Want to Learn More?
You can read the full feature on WIRED’s website: https://www.wired.com/story/this-startup-wants-to-put-its-brain-computer-interface-in-the-apple-vision-pro/
FAQs
What is Cognixion, and who does it help?
Cognixion is a Santa Barbara-based neurotechnology startup building non-invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for people with severe speech and motor impairments. Their wearable tech gives individuals with debilitating diseases and severe injuries, such as ALS, spinal cord injuries, or traumatic brain injuries, a way to communicate.
How does Cognixion’s integration with Apple Vision Pro work?
Cognixion created a custom headband that includes embedded EEG sensors that mechanically connect to the Apple Vision Pro, and digitally connected to Cognixion’s Nucleus neural computing hip pack for securely processing brain data outside of the Apple Vision Pro. This allows users to mentally select from a menu of responses, no physical movement or eye gaze tracking required.
How did Escalate PR help Cognixion stand out in this story?
This WIRED article is a prime example of elevating a product announcement to the current news cycle to drive awareness through earned media coverage. Escalate PR helped bring Cognixion’s voice to the national stage by connecting a clinical trial announcement using a consumer technology to ongoing advancement, excitement and conversations within the brain-computer interface trends.
Does Escalate PR work with healthtech or accessibility startups?
Yes. Escalate PR partners with emerging and established innovators across healthtech, AI, and assistive technology. We specialize in placing complex, meaningful stories in top-tier outlets and translating impact into headlines that drive awareness, trust, and adoption.