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Apple is reportedly working on a new format for interacting with devices that could eliminate the need for voice commands. According to the Financial Times and Reuters, the company has acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for about $2 billion, which is Apple’s largest deal since the purchase of Beats Electronics. The move is seen as part of a broader strategy to develop AI interfaces for wearable devices.
Q.ai specializes in machine learning systems capable of analyzing facial micro-movements, lip movements, and subtle muscle contractions. The technology can recognize words spoken without sound, determine emotional reactions, and record physiological signals, including heart rate and respiration.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously predicted that AirPods with built-in cameras could appear as early as 2026. They are supposed to have infrared sensors similar to the Face ID depth scanning system. Combined with Q.ai algorithms, this may allow controlling devices without voice, such as sending messages, activating Siri, or switching music with silent lip movements.
The technology will probably not be limited to headphones. It can be integrated into devices such as Apple Vision Pro or future smart glasses. Q.ai founder Aviad Maisels previously co-founded PrimeSense, a company whose 3D sensor developments became the basis for Face ID technology in Apple products.
If a similar system is implemented, it could mean a shift from voice commands to more invisible interaction through sensors and biometric signals. Such an approach could change the way users interact with wearable AI devices, but it also raises new privacy issues.
Continuous tracking of lip and facial muscle movements can generate extremely sensitive biometric data. If improperly stored, such information can potentially reveal emotional states, health indicators, or private communications. Experts also draw attention to the risks of misuse, including unauthorized tracking or remote determination of user intentions.
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