Apple has filed a patent for an innovative new product: wireless earbuds capable of reading the user’s facial movements.
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The groundbreaking AirPods could be controlled through silent commands, interpreting signals such as smiles, nods, or words mouthed without sound — in other words, purely through lip movement.
This means the AirPods could detect when the user says “next,” allowing the device to skip to the next song without needing to actually say the word aloud.
They would work using a sensor called “self-mixing interferometry” combined with a VCSEL laser, a technology already used in the FaceID system on iPhones and iPads.
Additionally, the patent mentions a bio-authentication system to ensure that commands are only accepted when issued by the actual owner of the earbuds.
The technology would be available for both the Pro and Pro Max models of the AirPods and could prove especially useful in environments where speaking is not allowed, as well as offering a major step forward in terms of security.
The patent was credited to two inventors, including Mehmet Mutlu. He is also listed on a 2021 filing that explored using ultrasonic sensors to authenticate user voices on the Apple Watch.
Photo and video: Unsplash / Apple. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
