Researchers at Georgia Tech have created a nearly invisible brain sensor that could make using brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) in everyday life a reality.
This new micro-sized device is small enough to sit between your hair follicles and just under your skin, and it can pick up brain signals with high accuracy—all without bulky equipment or the need for messy gels.
BCIs are tools that let our brains communicate directly with machines.
They can control things like computers, robotic arms, and even virtual reality systems by detecting the brain’s electrical activity. Usually, this is done with electrodes placed on the scalp using conductive gel.
These systems are often big, uncomfortable, and not very practical for daily use. More advanced versions can involve implants, but those are invasive and come with risks.
Professor Hong Yeo, who leads this new research, wanted to change that. He combined his knowledge of wearable sensors and brain interface technology to develop a new type of microneedle brain sensor.
These tiny sensors gently pierce the top layer of skin without pain and avoid hair roots. This makes the sensors more stable and able to pick up clearer brain signals, because they sit closer to where the signals originate.
Yeo and his team built the sensor using a special conductive polymer and flexible wires. The entire setup is smaller than a millimeter, yet it can capture brain signals effectively, even while the person is moving.
In testing, six volunteers wore the sensors during everyday tasks—including standing, walking, and running—for up to 12 hours. Despite all this movement, the sensors continued to collect high-quality brain signals with 96.4% accuracy.
The volunteers used the brain sensor to control a hands-free augmented reality (AR) video call.
By focusing their eyes on certain parts of the display, they could select contacts and start or answer video calls—without ever touching a screen or speaking a command. The sensor picked up what the users were looking at and translated that into actions.
This research shows that brain-computer interfaces don’t have to be clunky or uncomfortable. The new sensor is small, easy to wear, and reliable—making it a major step forward in wearable brain tech.
Professor Yeo hopes that one day this technology can be used widely, especially in areas like health care, rehabilitation, and prosthetics.
He also credits teamwork for the breakthrough. “Many challenges today are too big to solve alone,” Yeo said. “I’m proud of what our group has achieved, and we’ll keep working to make BCIs even better for everyday life.”
