Allianz Trade and Inclusive Brains have announced a renewed partnership focused on developing a mind-controlled keyboard, an AI-powered technology designed to enhance digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
The companies previously collaborated on Prometheus BCI, a multimodal human-machine interface that converts neurophysiological data into mental commands. The latest phase of their partnership aims to expand the application of this assistive neurotechnology to text input.
The mind-controlled keyboard will be a non-invasive system that allows users to compose and send messages without physical interaction. Allianz Trade and Inclusive Brains plan to make the core algorithms open source to encourage wider collaboration in advancing assistive technologies.
Olivier Oullier, Co-founder & CEO of Inclusive Brains, said, “Being able to control a keyboard with one’s mind, eye movements, by blinking or clenching depending on what one is able to do can be life-changing for a lot of people with paralysis or who cannot speak.”
The companies emphasised the societal impact of this development, noting that millions of people experience barriers to communication due to disability. With this, the technology aims to improve accessibility in education and employment.
Florence Lecoutre, Group Board Member at Allianz Trade, highlighted the broader implications of making the Prometheus BCI algorithm publicly available. “Zero discrimination is the essence of truly inclusive tech, and collective efforts are instrumental to reach this goal. By making the Prometheus BCI algorithm open source, we invite developers, institutions, and industries to collaborate on advancing assistive techs for all.”
