Apple buys Q.ai, a start-up that decodes silent speech from facial micromovements
The deal, reported at close to $2 billion, brings technology that reads whispered or mouthed words from subtle facial muscle movements.
Apple has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli start-up that uses machine learning to interpret silent speech: mouthed or whispered words detected from tiny facial muscle movements. Media reports valued the deal at close to $2 billion, which would be one of Apple’s largest acquisitions. Q.ai was founded by Aviad Maizels, whose earlier company PrimeSense became the basis of Face ID, and its roughly 100 staff are joining Apple.
Q.ai doesn’t read brain signals, but like Meta’s EMG wristband it points to big-tech interest in interfaces that pick up intended speech and movement without sound or touch.
Learn more: EMG · Neural data