Snap buys a brain-computer interface startup to power future AR glasses

One day, you might be able to control the glasses with your mind. NextMind is a French startup that is developing brain-computer interface technology to help steer devices by focusing on virtual buttons. There is no mystery about the intentions of NextMind, which will aid the development of augmented reality.

The value of the deal was not disclosed. NextMind will remain in Paris, but it will no longer sell its BCI headband for developers.

The purchase is not surprising given the history of the company. WaveOptics is the company behind Spectacles. The liquid crystal on Silicon company Compound Photonics was bought by the social media giant in January. Today's simple designs of augmented reality glasses rely on physical buttons to do little more than capture photos and video, and that's not something that Snap wants to change.

There is a lot of competition in the space. Valve is exploring the category through a partnership with OpenBCI, while Meta bought a neural monitoring startup. There is competition with the brain implants of Musk. If it is going to develop advanced, hands-free augmented reality hardware, it may need NextMind.