Synchron Raises $200M for Brain-Computer Interface Launch
Synchron secured $200 million to speed up pivotal trials and prepare its Stentrode brain-computer interface (BCI) system for commercial release. The company aims to enable hands-free control of digital devices by decoding brain signals.
Comparison of BCI Devices
BCI technologies vary significantly in design and implantation methods:
- Elon Musk’s Neuralink implants devices by removing part of the skull.
- Synchron’s Stentrode device is less invasive, placed via a catheter procedure.
These designs balance between how invasive the procedure is and the quality of brain signals they capture.
Device Specifications and Capabilities
- Synchron’s Stentrode has 16 electrodes.
- Neuralink’s N1 Implant contains 1,024 electrodes.
Despite fewer electrodes, Stentrode allows severely paralyzed individuals to control personal devices effectively.
Future Plans and AI Integration
The Series D funding supports both immediate commercialization and next-generation development:
- Accelerating pivotal trials for Stentrode’s market launch.
- Developing a transcatheter, high-channel whole-brain interface.
- Expanding an AI team in New York City to build models that decode brain data in real time.
“Synchron’s goal is to decode thought in real time.”
In summary, Synchron is advancing brain-computer interface technology by blending minimally invasive procedures with AI to improve accessibility and real-time brain signal interpretation.