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Synchron, a secretive brain-computer interface (BCI) startup based in Brooklyn, is emerging as a serious competitor to Elon Musk’s Neuralink. The company has developed the Stentrode, a quarter-sized brain implant that allows users to control devices with their thoughts—without needing invasive brain surgery. Instead of drilling into the skull, Synchron’s approach involves inserting the implant through a blood vessel near the motor cortex. Since 2019, ten patients have received the device, surpassing Neuralink’s count. The technology is currently targeted at people with severe disabilities, such as those with ALS, but CEO Tom Oxley envisions a future where elective implants could be more widely available—possibly by the 2040s.
Unlike Neuralink’s deeper brain-penetrating implants, the Stentrode sits further from the brain tissue, which presents technical challenges in signal precision. Still, Synchron’s leadership believes in a more streamlined approach. Backed by high-profile investors like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, and with a $385 million valuation, the company has gained FDA “breakthrough device” status, potentially fast-tracking its route to market. Oxley remains thoughtful about the ethical implications of BCIs, noting concerns about autonomy, privacy, and corporate misuse, especially as tech giants like Apple and Nvidia become increasingly involved in the space.
One of Synchron’s earliest and most prominent users is Rodney Gorham, a 65-year-old former IBM employee living with ALS. He’s had the Stentrode implanted for over 1,600 days—the longest duration on record for a fully implantable brain device. With the help of eye-tracking and thought-based commands like "move my foot" to trigger cursor selection, Rodney can text, browse the internet, and control his home entertainment setup. The implant has allowed him to maintain his personality and independence, providing a glimpse into how transformative BCIs can be for those with physical limitations.
Looking ahead, Synchron is working to refine its cursor control to reduce reliance on eye tracking and is partnering with Apple to create a more seamless integration with mainstream devices. Apple’s involvement is limited to accessibility support rather than full-scale development, but the collaboration creates new possibilities for BCI users. Meanwhile, Nvidia is exploring how brain signal data could be used to train AI models. While a future where many people voluntarily opt for brain implants is still far off, Synchron’s steady, patient-focused progress may quietly shape how BCIs evolve from experimental tech to everyday tools.
