Cognixion, a developer of noninvasive brain-computer interface technology, and Pupil Labs, a company involved in eye-tracking tech, entered into a strategic partnership to develop an interface that measures visual attention and neural signals.
The aim is for Pupil Labs’ eye-tracking software to connect with Cognixion’s Axon-R SDK interface, which will allow for smooth data collection across platforms.
“High-precision eye tracking and advanced BCI [brain-computer interface] electroencephalogram capabilities will give clinical researchers powerful new tools for neuroscience, human-computer interaction and assistive technology research,” the companies said in a joint statement.
The two technologies are expected to offer a higher level of data confidence and a platform that can adjust to the needs of patients, particularly those with diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where progression may affect eye gaze ability.
According to Cognixion, the integrated tool will enable researchers to prototype and deploy studies that concurrently measure eye movements and brain activity, leveraging research-grade sensors for both modalities without intricate technical integration.
It will also provide access to synchronized data streams via a unified developer interface, allowing the development of applications that respond to visual attention and neural signals.
Technical teams from the companies have started the integration process, and the first releases are expected within six months.
“We’re building an ecosystem around the Cognixion platform that accelerates innovation for clinical researchers, while our noninvasive technology puts us in a position to expand our market share significantly,” Andreas Forsland, CEO of Cognixion, told MobiHealthNews.
“Continuing the integration of Cognixion’s Axon-R platform with new technologies is a key component of our growth. As we continue to forge new collaborations, our technology becomes exponentially more powerful when integrated with complementary solutions from industry leaders.”
THE LARGER TREND
In May, Cognixion announced that Blackrock Neurotech, a company that makes implantable BCIs, will provide Cognixion’s Axon-R wearable neural interface platform to research institutions via its distribution network.
Blackrock Neurotech will act as an unrestricted distributor of Cognixion’s Axon-R. This noninvasive wearable device enables the precise measurement and modulation of brain activity through visual stimuli, biofeedback and neurofeedback.
Other companies involved in the brain-neural interface space include Neuralink, which in May implanted its brain-computer interface into Brad Smith, an individual who has ALS and is completely nonverbal; the device allows Smith to communicate using Telepathy.
Smith released a video on X about his experience with Neuralink and how it works. The video is narrated using an AI-generated replica of Smith’s voice cloned from past recordings, and Smith uses the BCI to control the mouse on his MacBook Pro to perform the narration.
In March, Neuralink filed applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to trademark the terms “Telepathy,” “Blindsight” and “Telekinesis.”
The applications pertain to Neuralink’s first product, Telepathy, a brain-computer interface that aimed to enable users to control devices with their thoughts; Blindsight, an implant that aims to restore vision in individuals who are blind; and Telekinesis, a term Elon Musk, the company’s founder has used interchangeably with Telepathy relating to controlling devices using one’s mind.
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