Meta’s neural wristband set to change digital engagement game

Mark Zuckerberg announces Meta’s development of a neural wristband, a device set to enhance user interaction with digital platforms

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced the development of a neural wristband that will enhance digital interaction.

Speaking on the “Morning Brew Daily” talk show, Zuckerberg stated that Meta is close to integrating this technology into a product within the next few years.

The wristband, using electromyography (EMG), will track neural electrical signals from the brain to the fingers via the wrist. This method promises high accuracy and efficiency, functioning independently of lighting conditions and unaffected by occlusion issues.

Such capabilities could lead to more precise control over digital interfaces, especially in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications.

Meta’s acquisition of CTRL Labs, a New York-based startup, in late 2019 played a significant role in this development. Thomas Reardon, CEO and co-founder of CTRL Labs, has led the project since the acquisition.

This wristband technology contrasts with existing optical finger tracking methods used in devices like the Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro, which face limitations in accuracy and latency.

Meta’s roadmap was leaked to the Verge in early 2023 and indicated plans to launch two wristband models at different price points alongside the third-generation Ray-Ban smartglasses in 2025.

The wristbands will vary, with one offering only neural input technology and another featuring additional display and camera functions, acting as a smartwatch. A second-generation wristband is also in development, intended as the input device for true AR glasses slated for release in 2027.

Zuckerberg’s announcement comes as the industry witnesses advancements in wearable technology, with companies like Apple exploring similar avenues. Meta’s EMG wristband, if successful, could set a new standard for interaction within digital environments.

Source: Newsroom