Meta has been experimenting with EMG expertise for years. In 2025, the corporate commercialized it for the primary time in its Meta Ray-Ban Show glasses, which customers management by way of a devoted neural band that is ready to interpret delicate muscle actions within the wrist.
Now, at CES 2026, the corporate is providing its first have a look at how its neural band may very well be used to regulate gadgets outdoors of its sensible glasses lineup. Meta has teamed up with Garmin, in addition to a handful of analysis companions, to discover some intriguing use circumstances for its wrist-based controller.
The social media firm has beforehand labored with Garmin on health integrations for its glasses. However at CES, the businesses have been exhibiting off a really early demo of how Meta's neural band inside a automobile to regulate the built-in infotainment system.
Some movies of Meta’s neural band controlling the screens in Garmin’s Unified Cabin at CES pic.twitter.com/2LcKEp1IRN
— Karissa Bell (@karissabe) January 6, 2026
The expertise is a part of Garmin's "Unified Cabin" idea, which explores a bunch of AI-centric in-car experiences. The demo I attempted was pretty restricted: whereas carrying a neural band, I used to be capable of navigate two apps on a touchscreen show in Garmin's cockpit setup. In a single, I used pinch and swipe gestures to govern an onscreen mannequin of a automobile, very like how I’d use the band to zoom out and in of a picture whereas carrying the show glasses. The second demo, considerably bizarrely, was a recreation of 2048. I used the identical swipe gestures to maneuver the tiles round.
Neither of these are the sorts of experiences you instantly consider whenever you think about "in-car leisure," however Garmin, which works with a lot of main automobile manufacturers on infotainment programs, appears to be fascinated with some extra sensible use circumstances too. The corporate advised me that it’s going to discover utilizing the neural band to regulate automobile features like rolling down home windows or unlocking doorways.
Elsewhere, Meta additionally introduced a analysis collaboration with the College of Utah that can discover how its EMG tech can be utilized to assist individuals who have ALS, muscular dystrophy and different situations that have an effect on the usage of their arms.
Researchers will work with Meta to check gestures that would allow individuals to regulate sensible audio system, blinds, thermostats, locks and different family gadgets utilizing the neural band. "Meta Neural Band is delicate sufficient to detect delicate muscle exercise within the wrist — even for individuals who can’t transfer their arms," the corporate explains in a weblog put up. Researchers may also have a look at utilizing the band for mobility use circumstances, just like the College of Utah's TetraSki program, which at present makes use of a joystick or mouth-based controller to assist members ski.
Replace, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 3:40PM PT: Added a video from garmin’s demo.
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