Imagine: you put on an ordinary cap, think "open my email," and the computer obediently carries out the command. No buttons, no voice, no gestures. Just thought.
Sounds like science fiction? The Silicon Valley startup Sabi has already raised $50 million for it and promises that the future will arrive very soon.
What is this thing, anyway?
On the outside, it's an ordinary cap (or a winter hat — that's what they'll release first). But hidden inside are up to 100 000 tiny sensors, each the size of a grain of rice. They read the electrical signals of your brain and translate them into commands for the computer.
The main trick: you don't need to implant anything in your head, smear yourself with gel, or shave your head bald. You just put on the cap — and get to work.
How does it work? (in simple terms)
Our brain constantly generates electrical signals. Usually, to read them, electrodes must be pressed tightly against the skin of the head with gel — as in hospitals. Sabi has invented chips that work through hair and skin, with no discomfort at all.
The more sensors, the more accurate the signal. Ordinary EEG caps have dozens or hundreds of them, while Sabi has up to 100 thousand. It's like the difference between an old push-button phone and a modern smartphone: more sensors = more data = better results.
How well does it actually work?
According to the creators, after two weeks of use the cap translates thoughts into text with an accuracy of 77%. And the longer you wear it, the more accurate it becomes, because the AI adapts specifically to your brain.
Typing speed: about 30 words per minute — roughly like typing on a smartphone. And the system can already predict the next 3-4 words you want to write.
Why does everyone believe in it?
The investors are serious players:
- Khosla Ventures (one of the leading venture funds of Silicon Valley)
- Accel (invested in Facebook at an early stage)
- DST Global (a Russian fund that invested in Twitter and Spotify)
- Former OpenAI executive Kevin Weil
Already 10 000 people have signed up for the waiting list.
But there are skeptics too...
Experts are doubtful: signals passing through the skull and skin become greatly weakened. Implanted electrodes (like those of Elon Musk's Neuralink) provide a far clearer picture.
The main question: can the cap read thoughts accurately enough to reliably control AI? So far there is no independent confirmation.
But what about privacy?
The creators promise: all neural data is encrypted right in the cap, before it leaves the device. Security is being verified by researchers at Stanford. Because when it comes to reading thoughts, security is everything.
When will it be available for purchase?
- January 2027: official demonstration at the CES exhibition
- 2027 year: sales launch
- The first versions will be imperfect, but they will get better over time — like the first iPhones
Price, weight and battery life have not yet been disclosed.
Why does this matter?
Right now, to control a computer with the power of thought, you need brain surgery (Neuralink) or bulky equipment. Sabi wants to make it as simple as putting on a hat.
If it works, it will change everything: from helping people with disabilities to a completely new way of working with computers.
