Apple is trying to reach the moon with its future tech that it intends to integrate into wearable devices such as AirPods. Turns out a patent has appeared on USPTO according to which, AirPods could be used to detect electrical impulses in the brain.
The Cupertino-based giant is already in talks to upgrade AirPods with hearing aid features. Cut to now, a patent has been granted from USPTO according to which, AirPods could soon have the ability to read biosignals in your brain, a process that would otherwise require planting electrodes on the scalp.
The said patent further adds that wearers might be able to use their AirPods to read brain activity similar to traditional machines that are used to detect galvanic skin response, electroencephalography, electromyography, and electrooculography to name a few. It could pretty much give the wearer to detect all that while wearing just their AirPods minus any heavy machinery involved with it.
Traditionally, an EEG machine does the job of giving doctors insights into what’s happening in someone’s brain. Sketches as seen with the patent show different arrangements of active and reference electrodes that can be planted on the external body of the AirPods. These will be able to capture signals from different areas of the ear. Since different users can have different ear sizes and fit, the electronics will be designed with customizability to fit an individual’s ears in order to obtain adequate brain signal activities.
It’s unclear whether the Cupertino-based giant will roll out certain features on AirPods to measure biosignals. Although patented, there’s no confirmed update that Apple is planning to introduce this feature on its AirPods. A lot of times, patents don’t translate into reality. Apple is already working on various health features for its wearables such as temperature monitoring and hearing aids on its TWS.
For now, all we can say is that these AirPods will revolutionise the wearable market as well as those looking for EEG and other processes as they can simply turn to their AirPods for the same. Of course, an FDA and other permissions are required before Apple could deem AirPods with EEG sensors medically fit for use which is a long shot at the moment.
