As the fields of medicine and bioengineering continue to expand, many disabilities and conditions such as epilepsy now have treatments using devices with brain-computer interfaces. These systems previously used only for medical purposes have led to the creation of user-friendly devices available to audiences beyond just those with special medical needs. Now, cognitive devices such as Nike Mind slides and Neurable MW75 headphones are being released to the public to help improve calm and focus.
The beginnings of most user-friendly medical devices trace back to complex systems called brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). BCIs are input-output systems that connect brain signals to hardware. The current most common purpose for BCIs is to help with neuromuscular disabilities, which cause trouble with executing actions due to a mishap in signaling between the brain and muscles. Devices that have been created to assist with this include prosthetics, specialized wheelchairs, and even neurological computer cursors that allow individuals to control on-screen activity through signals from their thoughts [1].
In most of these devices, electrodes built into the hardware give electrical signals to the machinery based on different types of brain signals. There are three main types of artificial signals that have been incorporated into BCI systems: intracortical, electrocorticographic (ECoG), and most commonly, electroencephalographic (EEG). All three signals are recorded as frequencies that the devices use to move muscles; each frequency signals a specific movement as coded for in the device’s software. Many devices have begun to use algorithms based on previously logged patterns. However, transmitting each signal requires different hardware to interact with specific areas of the brain [2,3,4].
To start, intracortical signals are derived from the primary motor cortex of the brain via miniscule, implanted electrodes that live close to the neurons themselves. These electrodes track the activity of muscles based on their location, as well as speed, acceleration, force, and muscle preparation and activation. Instruction cues and movement patterns can also be encoded [2]. Based on this information, the electrodes can choose to further stimulate the motor cortex to strengthen signals and increase muscle movement or power. Intracortical BCIs can be used to help with muscle exhaustion, numbness and returning sensation to previously blunted external stimuli due to central nervous system trauma [5, 6].
In addition, electrocorticographic (ECoG) signals use the cerebral cortex to determine somatosensory-evoked potentials, which are signals triggered by peripheral nerves and sent to the brain. These signals are converted into electric signals for the electrodes, which are attached to the scalp and spinal cord, to input into data collection devices. This data is commonly used to determine if a patient is able to care for themselves or if medical assistance such as the aforementioned intracortical electrodes is required [3].
Lastly, electroencephalographic (EEG) signals are used on a larger variety of output devices and on multiple parts of the brain. This is because EEG electrodes are cheaper, yet lower in resolution and data quality compared to the other BCI types. This can be an advantage, as devices using EEG signals are more accessible, but the method is also less used in research [7]. Like ECoG electrodes, EEG electrodes are attached to the scalp. They record electrical activity in specific areas of the brain based upon the type of device being used. For example, prosthetic limbs, specifically arms, use these frequencies from the motor cortex to apply movement. EEG signals can also be used to study brain activity in order to diagnose brain conditions such as epilepsy [4].
Although many advancements in BCIs have been geared towards medical disabilities, the Neurable MW75 headphones represent an example of a BCI designed for a wider audience. This device functions as a normal set of headphones, but is specifically designed for improving focus, cognitive speed, and calmness in working on PC and mobile devices. Developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, these headphones aimed to improve time management for remote workers whose average productivity time had dropped by three hours [8]. The hardware includes 12 fabric sensors that use EEG tracking to log what the company calls ‘biofeedback,’ or vitals tracking, in neural reports in its Neurable app [9]. The app includes information about the user’s concentration and efficiency based on these vitals; the raw information is transformed into these reports via AI systems built into the app [10]. When using the product, two of three users reported having improved focus with the average user experiencing a 33% improvement. Nonetheless, the confounding variable of sound cancellation provided with the device, which is not taken into account in the reports, could also be at play in improving focus [9].
Neurable headphones differ from seemingly similar competitors who also produce vitals tracking devices such as the Oura ring, Apple watches, FitBits, and other smart watches. This is because the headphones use vitals from the brain rather than just a normal pulse, and they can thus give better information on focus. However, Neurable headphones lack the sleep tracking abilities that other devices have, as that is not their intended purpose and they are unconventional for sleeping.
While devices like the Neurable headphones work to improve cognitive performance, other companies are also applying neuroscience to consumer products relating to physical performance. In January of 2026, Nike released the Nike Mind 001 and 002 shoes, which are sensorimotor neuroscience–based recovery footwear. These shoes were designed to improve sensory awareness, and are said to increase focus and decrease distracting thoughts. The target audience of this product is athletes, with a goal of increasing the feeling of being “present” pre-workout or post-workout [12, 13].
To reach an athlete’s mind, these shoes take advantage of the foot’s thousands of nerve endings, which make it one of the body’s most sensitive areas [14]. The slide is designed to stimulate these nerve endings with 22 independent foam nodes on the footbed. Each node moves in a “piston-like rhythm” that engages the sensory area of the brain through the mechanoreceptors of the feet [13]. According to Nike, side effects of the shoe include, “clearing your mind, acting on instinct, and a complete lapse in hesitation” [12].
During development, Nike neuroscientists used mechanical sensors, electrical signals, and brain rhythms to test the impact of the slides, before concluding that the stimulation from the shoes increased athlete alertness and stability [13]. Some reviewers claimed that the shoes make their feet “feel awake” and allow them to “feel the texture of the surface they’re walking on”, which causes them to feel more grounded [14, 15]. While more studies are necessary to establish these connections, the new connection between footwear and neuroscience is an exciting premise.
BCIs are a rapidly growing facet in the field of neuroscience and represent significant potential growth in quality of life for those struggling with neurological disorders.These BCIs vary in system and have been implemented in devices like cochlear implants or robotic arms to restore or enhance bodily functions. New products are also being developed to help consumers improve health and focus, as well as to make BCIs more integrated and accessible in daily life.