July 24, 2025 – Meta’s research team is in the process of developing a cutting-edge wristband that enables users to control computers through hand gestures. This innovative device allows for a range of actions, such as moving the cursor, launching applications, and even composing messages by “writing” in the air as if using a pencil.
As detailed in a research paper published in the journal Nature, the wristband utilizes a technology called surface electromyography (sEMG). This technique captures the electrical signals generated by muscle activity, enabling the device to interpret the user’s intended movements. Remarkably, it can detect these intentions even before the user physically performs the action.
The primary goal of this wristband is to offer a more accessible and less invasive computer interaction tool for individuals with motor disabilities. Currently, Meta is collaborating with Carnegie Mellon University to test the wristband with people who have spinal cord injuries. Even those who are unable to fully use their arms or hands can operate a computer with this device. Professor Douglas Weber from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Neuroscience Institute at Carnegie Mellon University explained that even individuals with complete hand paralysis still exhibit some level of muscle activity, which the device can interpret.
When compared to projects like Elon Musk’s Neuralink, Meta’s wristband presents a simpler alternative. Neuralink involves implanting brain chips in patients with severe paralysis, a procedure that requires surgery. In contrast, Meta’s wristband can be used immediately without any invasive procedures. Furthermore, compared to non-invasive devices that rely on electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, the sEMG signals used by Meta’s wristband have a higher frequency, potentially offering more precise control.
