Startup Develops Brain-Reading Wearable to Convert Thoughts into Text

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:39:00 +0200

California-based startup Sabi is developing a noninvasive brain-computer interface (BCI) that converts a person's internal speech into text displayed on a computer. Unlike companies such as Neuralink that focus on surgically implanted devices, Sabi aims to make this technology accessible to the general public through wearable devices like a beanie and a baseball cap. The device relies on electroencephalography (EEG) to detect brain activity, and Sabi plans to use 70,000 to 100,000 miniature sensors to improve signal accuracy. The initial typing speed is projected at around 30 words per minute, with improvements expected as users become accustomed to the device. To handle the variability in individual thought patterns, Sabi is creating a large-scale AI model, called a brain foundation model, trained on extensive neural data from many volunteers. Consumer usability is a major focus, with an emphasis on comfort, ease of use, and out-of-the-box functionality. Privacy and security are also