Neurables Launches Brain-Tracking Headphones to Boost Focus and Combat Burnout

Neurable's New $700 Headphones Track Brain Activity to Improve Focus and Fight Burnout - Decrypt

Would you wear a $700 pair of headphones if it meant you could track your brain activity and help you focus better? A Boston-based startup called Neurable hopes you will -- and it's aiming to make wearable electroencephalography (EEG) devices more accurate, responsive, and fashionable with today's launch of the MW75 Neuro headphones. The brain-reading headphones collect real-time brain data through a series of EEG sensors -- coupled, of course, with artificial intelligence -- and transmit the info to an Android or iOS app. Wearers can then see the information on a live-time dashboard and modify their behavior to stay focused and stave off fatigue and burnout. "It's essentially teaching you how to focus and get better at understanding how that feels so that you can improve it over long periods of time," Neurable co-founder and CEO Dr. Ramses Alcaide told Decrypt. Launched in 2015, Neurable built its sensory device in collaboration with wireless headphone developer Master & Dynamic and researchers at the University of Michigan. "We spent close to a decade refining the technology, going from large head caps, working our way down to smaller form factors, essentially now getting to headphones, all the while trying to retain a high level of signal quality," Alcaide said. In addition to EEG sensors, the MW75 features high-end headphones that come with adaptive noise cancellation, six microphones for clear calls, Bluetooth, and a battery life of 10 hours. Neurable is the latest entry in a burgeoning consumer electronics category that includes InteraXon, creator of the Muse EEG headband, and Synchron, creator of the insertable Stentrode implant. There's also the yet-to-be-launched NextSense, designed to use EEG data to improve users' sleep. EEG is commonly used in medical and research settings, particularly for diagnosing conditions like epilepsy, sleep disorders, or brain injuries. Another use case for EEG technology is in brain-computer interfaces, where researchers use EEG to allow people to control devices with their brain activity. Stanford University neuroscientist Dr. Walter Greenleaf said that there doesn't appear to be any risk with devices that measure EEG. "It's an unobtrusive and passive way of collecting information," he told Decrypt. "So the only risk would be if the information was mis-scored or mischaracterized." While he applauded the work Neurable and other consumer-facing EEG developers are doing, he cautioned them not to overstate their capabilities. "If any of these companies were making exaggerated claims like they cure autism by using their device, then that would be a danger, but as a device, per se, they're safe, and they're useful." With more and more companies putting EEG devices on the market, Greenleaf said how accurate one device is over another depends on the needs of the wearer. "If you're trying to identify a focal point for an epileptic seizure, then you need to have the whole head measured," Greenleaf said. "If you're trying just to understand if someone is focused their attention or whether they're in a relaxed mood, maybe guide them to a more relaxed mood or whether someone's asleep and what stage of sleep they're in, then you don't need that whole harness of electrodes." While the list of competitors continues to grow, Alcaide said the focus should be on helping people improve their mental health. His new product "is for the everyday person," he said. "You want to get into deep focus mode. You want to be told to take a break in order to prevent burnout because most people take a break when their body is tired, not when their brain is tired." The bottom line, he said, is "you want to leverage brain-computer interface capabilities that can help other aspects of your life to understand yourself better."

I Tried These Brain-Tracking Headphones That Claim to Improve Focus

Activity trackers have come a long way. No longer mere step-counters, they can monitor your heart rate, blood oxygen level, and skin temperature, and can even detect whether you suffer from sleep apnea. Now, there's a new wearable for your brain -- and I've been testing it out for the past two weeks. Today, Boston-based company Neurable announced the launch of its smart headphones, dubbed the MW75 Neuro, which use electroencephalography, or EEG, and artificial intelligence to track the wearer's focus levels by reading their brain waves. The device sends this data to a mobile app, with the goal of helping the user tweak their habits to improve their work routine. It's available for preorder in the US for $699 and will ship this fall. Starting in spring 2025, the device will be available in Europe and the UK for €729 and ₤629, respectively. "We've created an everyday wearable for tracking mental wellness and preventing burnout," says Ramses Alcaide, CEO and cofounder of Neurable. "This is the ultimate wearable, and it tracks the most important organ in your body." Alcaide has been working on the technology since 2011, when he was completing his PhD at the University of Michigan's Direct Brain Interface Laboratory. He founded Neurable in 2015 with fellow student Adam Molnar, now Neurable's vice president of strategic partnerships. Considered a brain-computer interface, or BCI, the device is one of several consumer wearables coming onto the market that read and translate a person's brain signals. (Last year, Apple filed a patent for AirPods with embedded EEG sensors.) These devices differ from invasive BCIs, like the one Elon Musk's Neuralink is developing, which use implants that are surgically placed in or on top of the brain. Noninvasive BCIs like Neurable's collect brain data though the skin -- usually with EEG -- without requiring any kind of surgery. EEG is widely used to study the brain's electrical activity and to help diagnose certain conditions such as epilepsy, brain tumors, and sleep disorders. The technology dates back to the 1920s, when German psychiatrist Hans Berger recorded the first EEG from a teenage boy undergoing brain surgery. Neurons in the brain communicate via rapid electrical impulses, and EEG uses conductive metal disks called electrodes to record that activity. Current EEG devices resemble swimming caps and are studded with dozens of electrodes. A special gel is typically applied to the scalp to improve signal quality. It's not exactly the kind of headwear most people would want to wear in public. Alcaide and Molnar wanted to design an EEG device that people could use outside hospitals and research labs -- something people could wear in an office or coffee shop. "This technology is not going to be adopted noninvasively until it's invisible," Molnar told me back in March when we met up at SXSW in Austin. Neurable went through several prototypes before settling on its current design, a pair of noise-canceling wireless headphones made by audio company Master & Dynamic with 12 EEG sensors in the earpads. Alcaide says the company's sensors capture 80 to 90 percent of the signals that traditional EEG technology can. They can also play music, just like any other pair of headphones.

They're real: Neurable's brainwave-reading headphones are here, promising to help you focus and avoid burnout

The concept of 'neural' headphones - and even the more aggressive term 'neurohacking' headphones - is not new. Wearables that blur the line between earbuds and brain implants were huge news in early 2023, while AI noise-cancelling headphones that can amplify the voice of the person you're looking at have been competing for your attention with in-ear computer 'hearables' for a little while now. And the example you're about to discover is 10 long years in the making. Over- and in-ears that can interpret your brain's activity (otherwise known as reading your mind) do exist - and Neurable, the company responsible for one of the above early examples, has just teamed up with revered luxury headphone manufacturer, Master & Dynamic, to unveil a highly intriguing set available on the mass market, called the MW75 Neuro. I'm conscious we're treading a fine line here. TechRadar can't offer guidance on anything medical-grade, since I'm a writer and audio reviewer, not a doctor (or a patient). At this stage though, Neurable tells me the chief aim with the MW75 Neuro is to help motivate, track focus trends, prevent burnout, and gain insight - for you (and only you) to benefit from. The future, says neuroscientist and founder of Neurable, Dr Ramses Alcaide, "is clinical diagnostics, but that's further down the line". Those cans that used to just bring music to your ears are now making bigger and bolder claims about how they can help you be safer and more productive - see also, AirPods Pro 2 gaining that hearing-aid-like 'assistance mode'. So what can Neurable's new collab do? Let's dive in. The MW75 Neuro marry the build of Master & Dynamic's MW75 headphones (which also look a lot like the v2 MH40s from the brand) and Neurable's brain-computer interface (BCI) technology - yes, that aforementioned 'brain-hacking' tech. Dr Alcaide makes a very interesting point during my pre-briefing for the MW75 Neuro release: "Your brain has no pain receptors, so these headphones can help with that". The goal is to help users gain deeper insights into their cognitive health, manage burnout, and enhance daily performance, but as Dr Alcaide adds, "By the time your eyes are hurting from looking at the screen, your brain may have been needing a break for hours". The MW75 Neuro is the first BCI-enabled consumer-grade device of its kind. How does it work? Neurable's advanced AI-powered electroencephalography (EEG) sensors are incorporated in the headphone's ear pads. These BCI-enabled EEG sensors can, says the company, actually capture and analyze brain signals as you wear them, to generate detailed brainwave data that offers valuable insights into focus levels and more. So yes, they really do read your mind(!) as long as you allow those ear pads to sit around your ear - long-haired wearers should sweep their hair back first. And that's not all. You can read the brainwave data you're generating too, via the Neurable App for iOS and Android, which will even offer "brain trend summaries" and productivity tips, based on tasks you set for yourself (whether that's 'learn lines', or 'finish assignment', say). Through this focus and brainwave analysis, MW75 Neuro can even prompt you to take breaks when focus decreases, thus helping to avoid burnout at your desk. Beyond its mind-reading capabilities, the MW75 Neuro promises to serve up the premium audio luxurious comfort that Master & Dynamic is known for, including a custom 40mm Beryllium driver and Bluetooth 5.2, plus eight microphones to filter out external noise for clear calls, and active noise cancellation. And even with noise-cancelling deployed and brainwave reading on, you'll get between 8 and 11 hours on a single charge. The MW75 Neuro come in four colors: Silver, Onyx, Navy and Olive and can be ordered now in the US, for a retail price of $699. Starting Spring 2025, the MW75 Neuro will be available in Europe and UK for £629 / €729. So, these headphones can tell when you're focusing and when your attention's trailed off. But what about the influence of the very thing headphones were built to deliver - music? You may find listening to classical concertos helps you achieve that flow state, but might rock suit your current task better? Well, with the MW75 Neuro, there's on-device Spotify integration, so you can create specific playlists for various focus levels based on the readings you got while listening to certain artists or genres of music. The future for Neurable, according to Dr Alcaide, is also to understand how you get distracted, and how your tech can help you fix it. And because they're a set of true smart headphones, the NW75 Neuro can actually run proprietary versions of apps, something Dr Alcaide likens to "the difference between the Blackberry and iPhone". Picture the scene: you're working, but a message pops up on your screen asking if you're still up for catching a movie tonight? You stop. Of course you are! You should've confirmed earlier. You quickly compose a reply... phew, good. Now, where were you at with that report? Alcaide tells me that soon, a unique version of ChatGPT integration with Neurable products will mean you needn't stop, since one potential response will be heard - and could be sent directly - from the left ear in your headphones, another from your right. Job done. Another example is Audible, where playback might automatically pause when you lose focus - you didn't get that last bit, and your headphones noticed, without you lifting a finger. This is a future where your eyes, your ears, your brain and the very movement of your head towards a subject are the computer interface your headphones are working with. I've said prior to today that I'm not sure whether this idea sits entirely well with me. I understand the concept - to provide the wearer with better knowledge of their own state of mental fatigue and thus avoid burnout, but I'd still argue that in the wrong hands (if line managers acquired that 'focus' data from employees' apps and favored staff who required fewer brain-breaks than others, say) the tech could seem a little... controlling. Dr. Alcaide assures me that all of the processing is on-device (rather than in-app) and anonymous as soon as it leaves - and that this really is a product for the user alone. It's well-known that taking a quick five-minute screen-break when you need it will actually increase your focus for the next few hours - and if the MW75 Neuro gives you that prompt, that can only be a good thing. I wish we didn't need our headphones to tell us it's OK to take a break, but the world we live in is one where working to exhaustion is applauded, so believe me when I say I get it. Neurable's release is at once ground-breaking, fascinating and mildly terrifying to me - and I can't wait to try the MW75 Neuro out. Watch this space.

Neurable launches smart brain-computer interface headphones with Master & Dynamic

Neurable makes AI-powered tools, and it has teamed up with audio brand Master & Dynamic on the neurotechnology to help users get deeper insights into their cognitive health. Neurable also said the device can help manage burnout, and enhance daily performance. The first BCI-enabled consumer-grade device of its kind, these headphones are set to change how we interact with everyday technology by empowering users to take control of their health and well-being through the power of their minds. Built on the foundation of Master & Dynamic's flagship wireless headset, the MW75 Neuro incorporates Neurable's advanced AI-powered electroencephalography (EEG) sensors into the headphone's ear pads. These BCI-enabled EEG sensors capture and analyze brain signals to generate detailed brainwave data that offers valuable insights into focus levels and more. Seems like gaming is going to be a prime market at some point for this technology. Neurable's technology introduces a suite of unique smart features, including the Neurable App. Neurable's iOS and Android app enables users to easily access their brainwave data on mobile devices, offering brain trend summaries and productivity tips. The EEG sensors allow users to track their focus and review brainwave data, such as optimal focus time and the impact of various activities on concentration. And through the brainwave analysis, MW75 Neuro can prompt users to take breaks when focus decreases, helping to prevent burnout. Back in May, Neurable raised $13 million in funding. Neurable's EEG AI technology is optimized for more compact form factors than traditional external brain wave monitoring devices. Neurable's AI-powered platform records wearers' brain activity and gives people their brain data in a non-invasive manner. Founded as a University of Michigan spinout and, following its Series A funding in 2020, Neurable has partnered with consumer wearable companies, including headphone company Master & Dynamic, to advance the mission of embedding EEG sensors into everyday technologies. The partnership has produced the first-ever BCI-enabled headphones, MW75 Neuro. The new funding will continue Neurable's future plans to further develop its platform technology to provide consumers with even greater insight into the workings of the brain. Neurable's 10-year-in-the-making AI platform uses data analysis and signal processing to record and interpret brain signals with high confidence giving lab-level accuracy. "The brain serves as the core of our health and well-being, yet we have only scratched the surface of what is possible by understanding and harnessing its power," said Ramses Alcaide, CEO of Neurable, in a statement. "In partnership with Master & Dynamic, we are eager to bring the future of neurotechnology to the world with the debut of our groundbreaking MW75 Neuro smart headphones. These headphones mark the beginning of BCI-enabled technology for all, with the development of future use cases already underway." The MW75 Neuro marks a major leap forward in wearable technology, redefining the role of everyday devices across industries. As BCI technology continues to enter the mainstream, the MW75 Neuro headphones offer users an early opportunity to integrate advanced technology into their daily lives. By analyzing brainwave patterns, the headphones can adapt to individual needs and preferences, enhancing focus, concentration, and overall productivity. Whether you're tackling a complex project, studying for an exam, or simply trying to relax, the MW75 Neuro can help you achieve your goals more effectively. Beyond its pioneering smart features, the MW75 Neuro delivers the premium audio performance and luxurious comfort that Master & Dynamic is known for. "We are excited to introduce the first consumer headphones with a fully integrated brain-computer interface," said Jonathan Levine, CEO of Master & Dynamic, in a statement. "By combining Neurable's patented brain signal processing with Master & Dynamic's uncompromising sound design, the MW75 Neuro represents a breakthrough in technological innovation crafted to help users understand and enhance their productivity habits while using the headphones. It's an honor to deliver the next evolution in wearable technology." Premium features Embedded in the MW75 Neuro's ear pads, the EEG sensors carry 12 channels with soft fabric sensors and have a bandwidth of 0-131 Hz with True DC Coupling. The device also comes with Bluetooth 5.2, which enables the headphones offer a range of 100 feet with AAC, aptX adaptive, and SBC. The MW75 Neuro includes a custom 40mm Beryllium driver to produce a rich and warm sound. It also incorporates eight microphones to filter out external noise, ensuring clear calls and noise cancellation. It also has noise cancellation and listening modes. Adaptive Ambient and noise cancellation modes can automatically adjust to your surroundings for exceptional sound in any environment. You can adjust your EQ with in-app sound profiles, access additional ANC modes, and download updates for the MW75 Neuro from your mobile device with the M&D Connect app. Each pair comes with a durable hardshell travel case to protect your headphones wherever you go. Pricing and availability The headphones come in four colors: Silver, Onyx, Navy and Olive. The MW75 Neuro is available in all colors for order on neurable.com in the United States and in Silver and Onyx on masterdynamic.com in the United States for a retail price of $700. Starting in the spring of 2025, the MW75 Neuro will be available in Europe and United Kingdom for €729 / ₤629. Neurable has raised $30 million to date, and it got validation from the U.S. Air Force and it has teamed up with Healthspan Digital to bring advanced brain health tools to longevity clinics.

I tried high-end headphones that could read my mind for two weeks. Here's how it went

You'll often hear me say that a pair of headphones that best suit your audio needs is an integral part of your personal tech arsenal. Whether your personal needs relate to your budget, noise-canceling desires, or device compatibility, the right headphones can be your best friend. As much as I love headphones, I must admit that aside from incremental audio upgrades and basic voice commands, we don't regularly receive new ways to interact with our favorite cans. We're entering an era where we want our tech to add value to our lives, so why are headphones so far behind? Also: The best headphones of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed The Master & Dynamic MW75 Neuro headphones debuted at CES 2024 and wowed personal audio enthusiasts with their unique and innovative features. These headphones have electroencephalogram (EEG) monitors inside the earcups that can measure brain activity when worn. Since CES, I've been eager to get my hands on the MW75 Neuro. I wore them for two weeks to see if the brain activity tracking was a gimmick or the most innovative thing to happen to the personal audio industry in years. Here's what I found. First, let's clarify what the technology is with the MW75 Neuro. Master & Dynamic released the MW75 headphones in 2022, so the hardware isn't new. The brain-computer interface (BCI) technology was created by Neurable, a software company specializing in BCIs, neuroscience, and machine learning. The two joined forces, and Neurable's proprietary BCI is embedded into Master & Dynamic's MW75 headphones, resulting in the MW75 Neuro. Metal conductors woven into the ear pads gather electrical signals from your brain. The signals are sent to receivers under the ear pads, which send the information to a chip inside the ear cups. The chips in the ear cups use AI and machine learning to run Neurable's algorithm, which deciphers the signals from your brain, which you can read in the companion app. The conductors on the ear pads must have contact with the skin around your ears to accurately receive your brain's electrical signals. Thus, the MW75 Neuro are over-ear headphones. The ear cups are narrower, and the clamping force is harder than I prefer, so I had to wear these without my glasses to avoid discomfort. The MW75 Neuro have noise cancellation and transparency mode, so they can act as normal, everyday headphones when you don't have the brain-reading software enabled. To use the MW75 Neuro's brain-reading technology, you must download the Neurable app. It was still in beta when I tested it, but I didn't run into any bugs or issues. In the app, you can start a Focus Session, check your headphones' battery, read your Focus Insights, and receive tips to improve your daily workflow. After your first three Focus Sessions, the app will create insights based on your previous focus habits. You can find out what time of day you're most focused, which activities hold your focus and attention the best and collect Focus Points based on your attentiveness. Also: I've used my AirPods Pro 2 since their 2022 release. Are they still worth it in 2024? If you have sessions with bouts of intense focus, you'll receive more points, and sessions with lower levels of focus will receive fewer points. You must stay in a Focus Session for at least ten minutes for the app to record your results. Once you finish a Focus Session, you'll see how long you were in high, medium, and low focus. Neurable says the headphones decipher brain activity, and the wearer's brainwaves determine how "engaged and challenged you are while attempting to accomplish a task." High focus means you were locked into one task, dedicating all of your attention and brain power to it. When I could sit and focus on writing an article, I stayed in high focus. Medium focus means being intently focused on two or more tasks while regularly switching your attention from one thing to another. I stayed in medium focus when I was productive in writing an article but frequently interrupted my writing to answer an email or a Slack message. Low focus likely means you're distracted, and I was in this state when I brainstormed how I was going to write this article. My brain jumped from idea to idea, and my attention was easily diverted to something unrelated to the task at hand. According to Neurable, the MW75's main goal is to help people avoid mental burnout. Office workers and students oftentimes push themselves through periods of mental burnout throughout the day in the name of completing a task to move on to the next one. However, the MW75 headphones can purportedly identify when your attention and focus levels are decreasing before your brain registers it needs a break. When the headphones sense you need a break, you'll hear a notification prompting you to take a 10-minute "Brain Break." I sometimes ignored the Brain Break prompts and shortly after, I noticed my attention and writing quality declining. I typically refuse to stop a task before I complete it, especially when I feel like I'm in the writing groove. I also ignored the prompts because I felt like I could keep going - I wasn't mentally tired yet. Also: I tested Dyson's $500 flagship headphones and they're more competitive than expected However, the quality of my work increased when I succumbed, took a Brain Break, and returned to my work instead of trying to power through. After a ten-minute break, I picked up right where I left off and usually completed my task shortly after. You may think, "Isn't taking a break when you feel mentally tired common sense?" It is, but I can guarantee most people don't know when they should, and that's how the MW75 Neuro helps. When I ignored the Brain Break prompts and took my break once I was mentally spent, it was difficult to start another task, and I wanted more than ten minutes to rest. When I took the Brain Break immediately after hearing the notifications, I returned to my work with mental clarity and worked intently until it was time for the next break. The prompted breaks also helped me find more dedicated time throughout the day to drink water, eat a snack, or use the restroom -- things I would usually withhold from myself as a reward for finishing a task. Neurable says the MW75 Neuro headphones are best for knowledge workers or people who sit at a desk for the entire workday working on high-focus tasks. However, I also see them being helpful for students who study or write essays for hours on end. It's easy to sit and study for hours, especially when a big exam is coming up. But if your brain is fried, you're likely just blankly staring at study material without absorbing any information. Knowing when to take breaks is key to preserving your mental stamina, and the MW75 Neuro can help you understand that. Neurable also says the MW75 Neuro are ideal for people who want to know more about their attention spans and focus levels. I already knew I had a short attention span, and gamifying my focus levels with an app and daily goals helped me hold myself accountable and avoid distractions. After two weeks of wearing the MW75 during my workdays, I found that it is possible for me to be productive in the afternoons. Before the headphones, I frequently worked through lunch because I wouldn't allow myself to step away from a task. However, the 3 PM slump would hit me like a freight train, and I'd lose a lot of productivity in the last two hours of the workday. As a result, I'd pick back up working in the evenings to finish my day's work. Also: You can buy an Oura Ring with your FSA and HSA funds. Here's how Knowing when to take breaks throughout the day (and actually taking them) helped me stay focused throughout the entire workday. Because of my high productivity during work hours, I rarely worked after hours like I used to. By not feeling as tired or having to work late, I was more motivated to exercise, socialize, or do household chores right after work. The MW75 Neuro headphones aren't for everyone; if your job requires physical labor or interacting with customers, you probably won't use them to their full potential. But if your job or hobby requires you to intently focus on something for hours on end, you'll find lots of use for them. Additionally, these headphones retail for $699, so they aren't cheap. I don't recommend purchasing them if you can't see yourself regularly using the Neurable software. Effective noise-canceling tech can also help you decrease distractions and stay focused on your work. If you want headphones with strong noise-canceling properties that are a few hundred dollars cheaper than the MW75 Neuro, consider the Sonos Ace, Sony WH-1000XM5, or Bose QuietComfort Ultra.