Apple frequently applies for patents for interesting features it plans to bring to its products. For example, we have seen applications for a “rollable” phone in the past weeks. We also saw a few months ago that a patent has been filed to turn your wall into a Mac.
Now it has emerged that the technology giant has received a patent for AirPods headphones. The patent awarded to the company this month reveals that the company wants to add extra health features to its AirPods models.
AirPods headphones can read brain waves via electrodes, according to patent
According to the patent, Apple wants to place small electrodes on each side of the headphones that can read various biosignals. While the company appears to have received a patent for both wired and wireless headphones, it is stated that the device may include “electroencephalography (EEG)”, which allows to measure brain wave activity. This means that in the future AirPods can monitor brain waves.
Apple says in its statement that not only EEG, but also other health monitoring methods such as electromyography (EMG), electrooculography (EOG), electrocardiogram (EKG), galvanic skin response (GSR) can be used. It is added that the electrodes should be configured according to the ear shape of the users.
Of course, this is all just an idea for now. Such patents may not always materialize. Even if it will become a reality, we can say that it will be a long time before we see them on AirPods. In addition, Apple will also need to get approval from authorities to read biosignals such as brain waves.