Scientists have developed a brain-computer interface (BCI) that can enable people with paralysis to operate an off-the-shelf tablet device just by thinking about making cursor movements and clicks. Tablets and other mobile computing devices are part of everyday life, but using them can be difficult for people with paralysis.

In a study published in the journal PLOS ONE, three clinical trial participants with tetraplegia were able to navigate through commonly used tablet programmes, including email, chat, music-streaming and video-sharing apps. Using an investigational BCI that records neural activity directly from a small sensor placed in the motor cortex, the participants messaged with family, friends, members of the research team and their fellow participants.