Concept: California’s tech startup NexStem has launched brain-computer interface (BCI) solutions named NexStem headset and Wisdom-SDK (software development kit) to help researchers and developers create BCI applications. Mental health providers can use the solutions to have direct access to patients’ electroencephalography (EEG) data. With a next-generation headset and SDK-harnessing AI algorithms, it aims to provide an end-to-end experience that enables a user to interact with an application using their thoughts.

Nature of Disruption: NexStem headset offers EEG signals that are harnessed by a BCI. The headset is built using 16-channel EEG sensors, 15-pin dry EEG electrodes, and has a battery life of six hours when connected over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It offers optimum coverage of brain signals, low electrode-skin impedance, and reduced noise interference to capture a clear and accurate signal. The headset coupled with Wisdom-SDK can perform real-time analysis of EEG signals. It can help in building an interface to gain insights from the data supplied by the brain cortexes. The Wisdom SDK is a no-code tool that enables developers to create complex ML algorithms that can be deployed in real-time. It uses GPUs (graphics processing units) in its algorithms to perform quick computations and calculations on EEG data.

Outlook: One of the most significant issues that BCIs face today is that they are intrusive, unwieldy, or ineffective and that developing applications for them is challenging. NexStem aims to provide researchers, developers, and medical professionals with the tools they need to obtain high-quality EEG data for use in medical and non-medical applications. It has the potential to unlock the human brain and improve people’s quality of life. NexStem is expanding into the application of BCI in virtual reality creating a way for the human to be a part of the metaverse. The startup raised an undisclosed amount in funding from various investors including s including BITS Spark Angels and InfoEdge. It intends to use the funding to expand its geographic presence in the US , Europe, and Asiaand develop its supply chain.

This article was originally published in Verdict.co.uk