By Samantha Denefrio, PhD
What is it?
CTRL-labs is creating the future of Extended Reality (XR). XR can be defined as the interaction of humans with machines through wearable technologies (Wikipedia). CTRL-labs are building the world’s first non-invasive interface between the human nervous system and computers.
They are working on a neural interface that decodes electrical activity from motor neurons as they fire to virtualize your actions and they call it the CTRL-kit. Then, they take those decoded signals and feed them into a deep machine learning network. The virtual image you see on a computer is being moved by the action potentials of the nerves in your arm without ever actually moving your arm. Watch Co-Founder Thomas Reardon present at the 2018 Slush Conference here.
Why is it innovative?
CTRL-labs are working to free us from the limitations of the currently available digital devices such as our iphones or smartwatches. We have to adapt our muscle movements to accommodate the size and interface of the device we are using. They rely on the output of our muscles. But, what if your capacity for movement wasn’t limited by your physical body?” Instead, with the CTRL-kit, you can have both movement and control virtually and at a distance using your brain power.
The Market
The global XR market is projected to soar from $4.2 B in 2016 to $61 B in 2022 (Artillry) with such technologies expected to change the way we live our everyday lives and the way businesses are created and run (Visual Capitalist). Companies like CTRL-labs are the driving force behind that potential growth.
Mission
“Imagine the world where computers are natural extensions of thought and movement.
CTRL-labs dedicates itself to answering the biggest questions in computing, neuroscience, and design so creators can dream. Our work to build a transformative neural interface spans research and challenges at the intersection of computational neuroscience, statistics, machine learning, biophysics, hardware, and human-computer interaction.” (CTRL-labs)
Advantages
- Technology like what CTRL-labs is creating could mean limitless possiblities for virtual movement.
- Such products could offer life-changing potential and empowerment for the field of health technology and for people with a myriad of movement disorders.
Funding (Crunchbase)
Total Funding Rounds $67 M (3 Rounds)
- February 2019 Funding Round $28 M (GV, Matrix Partners, Spark Capital, Lux Capital, Fuel Capital)
- May 2018 Series A $28 M (GV, Matrix Partners, Spark Capital, Lux Capital, Fuel Capital)
- September 2017 Series A $11 M (Matrix Partners, Spark Capital, Fuel Capital, Breyer Capital)
Facts Sheet and Details (Crunchbase)
- Founders: Patrick Kaifosh, Thomas Reardon, Timothy Machado
- Date Founded: 2015
- Funding Status: Early Stage Venture
- Status: Privately Held
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1001 6th Ave 5th floor, New York, NY 10018
- Website: https://www.ctrl-labs.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CTRLLabsCo/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ctrllabsco
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ctrl-labs/
News Stories on CTRL-Labs
- Thomas Reardon and CTRL-Labs are building an API for the brain
- I tried the wristband that lets you control computers with your brain
- Wristband Lets the Brain Control a Computer with a Thought and a Twitch
- Brain-Machine Interface Isn’t Sci-Fi Anymore
- Lana Awad is engineering the neuro-tech that will transform humanity
- How Your Brain May One Day Control Your Computer
