Apple Inc. is exploring groundbreaking technology that could transform its popular AirPods into sophisticated devices capable of monitoring brain activity directly from the ear.
This innovation involves analyzing electroencephalography (EEG) signals, promising a new range of health and wellness functionalities for consumers.
The company recently published a study detailing a method to extract and interpret brain activity from the ear, a process typically requiring more complex medical equipment.
At the core of this technology are small sensors and electrodes designed to be integrated into the AirPods. These components would track the brain’s electrical signals.
The technique, known as Pairwise Relative Displacement (PARS), employs an artificial intelligence (AI) model. This AI autonomously interprets EEG signals, removing the need for manual annotation by human specialists.
Unlike conventional EEG analysis where neurologists label specific signal patterns, the PARS algorithm learns complex patterns, such as sleep stages, from unclassified data by analyzing time displacement between signal segments.
During testing, Apple researchers successfully used the PARS model to classify different stages of sleep. This demonstrated the algorithm’s precision in interpreting brain data.
The system’s ability to operate without traditional EEG caps highlights the potential for discreet, consumer-friendly brain monitoring.
Further evidence of Apple’s intent comes from a 2023 patent application. This patent describes earbuds equipped with an EEG meter, specifically mentioning bioelectric sensors embedded in the earbud structure to measure electrical activity from the ear canal.
Future AirPods utilizing this technology could feature multiple electrodes and a dedicated chip to segment measurements by zone. An iPhone would then process and filter this data, sending clean information to the AI for interpretation of brain states.
The technology’s potential extends beyond sleep monitoring, with capabilities to measure other health parameters, including muscle activity, eye movement, or blood volume pulse.
Despite its potential, measuring EEG signals from the ear presents significant challenges. Signals captured this way are inherently weaker and more susceptible to noise compared to traditional methods.
Apple would need to design an optimized contact surface within the AirPods to ensure reliable data acquisition. The system would also have to compensate for interference generated by daily activities such as talking, chewing, or exercising.
Ensuring the privacy and security of extremely sensitive brain data would also be a critical challenge for the company.
Currently, there are no details available regarding when AirPods with this technology might be released to the public.
Apple is not alone in this field; about a year ago, Aware Custom Biometric Wearables introduced earbuds specifically designed to measure brain activity using strategically positioned electrodes and sensors in the ear canal.