Apple has acquired California-based sensor company Sonera, adding technology that could strengthen its health and accessibility ambitions. Sonera develops non-invasive sensors designed to measure neural signals and magnetic muscle activity.
The technology could eventually help people interact with devices through neural or muscle signals. More importantly, it may offer a path toward advanced controls without requiring a surgical implant.
Magnetic Sensors Could Enable New Controls
Sonera has worked to make brain imaging more affordable, portable and practical. In 2020, co-founder Nishita Deka said the company wanted faster and cheaper methods without sacrificing performance.
The company focuses on magnetic sensing rather than relying only on electrical signals. According to the report, the skull can weaken electrical signals. Therefore, magnetic sensing could potentially provide clearer measurements and improve non-invasive thought-based control.
This approach could prove significant for accessibility. Previous demonstrations have shown thought-based control of Apple Vision Pro using an implanted brain-computer interface. However, Sonera’s work points toward technology that may not require an implant.
Sonera Brings Wearable Health Potential
Deka and Dominic Labanowski founded the company in 2018 while studying at UC Berkeley. Originally called Sonera Magnetics, the startup emerged from stealth financing in 2023 with $11 million.
Sonera’s first product, the S1 chip, focuses on muscle sensing. The company says its technology can also detect brain magnetic activity and control prosthetics. In addition, Sonera has identified consumer wearables as another potential application.
That capability could fit naturally with Apple’s wearable products. For example, the report suggests future Apple Watch technology could continuously monitor certain neuromuscular conditions. Still, Apple has not announced such a product or feature.
Acquisition Points to Apple’s Long-Term Strategy
According to a European Union database cited in the document, Apple acquired Sonera in May 2026. Neither company publicly announced the transaction, while Sonera’s website has since gone offline.
For now, Apple’s exact plans remain unclear. However, Sonera gives the company technology with possible uses across health monitoring, accessibility, prosthetics and wearable computing.
