Boston-based startup and MIT Media Lab spin-off Alterego has unveiled a wearable device that uses AI to interpret silent communication “at the speed of thought,” without the user having to speak a single word aloud.
The headset relies on miniature cameras to detect micro-movements in the jaw and throat when the user thinks about speaking. These signals are then translated into digital commands. In a live demo, founder Arnav Kapur performed tasks such as coding, sending messages, visual queries, and even direct conversations with other users using what the team calls Silent Sense.
According to the developers, Alterego works reliably even in noisy environments, with support for multiple languages, visual cues, recognition of “silent” speech, and even the mere intention to speak. The project originated at MIT Media Lab in 2018 and has operated as a commercial startup since 2025, though no timeline has yet been announced for wider market availability.
For many, this technology seems to embody Arthur C. Clarke’s famous quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” What was once reserved for invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) systems now appears possible through a wearable device – potentially introducing a completely new way to interact with AI systems and the world around us.
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