Follow ZDNET: Add us as a favorite source On Google.
ZDNET Highlights
- Neuralable and HyperX unveiled partnership at CES 2026.
- Neuralable’s BCI technology is coming to HyperX gaming headphones.
- It can boost focus, accuracy, and reaction time for eSports athletes.
nurableThe company behind brain-computer interface (BCI) technology capable of being integrated into consumer headphones announced a new venture at CES 2026 last week: gaming headphones.
Also: CES 2026: The biggest news on TVs, smart glasses, robots, and more
Two years ago, Neurable debuted the MW75 Neuro in partnership with Master & Dynamic, and now it’s unveiled a collaboration with HyperX, integrating its BCI technology into the brand’s gaming headphones.
still a prototype
The gaming headset is still a prototype, as specific details regarding model information, pricing, and availability are not yet available. Still, we got to test the companies’ early opinions on the product and get an interesting look at the future of combining these technologies. Here’s what you need to know.
I’m not a serious gamer. My gaming prowess begins and ends with kid-friendly titles, like Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, and It Takes Two. Still, it didn’t take long for me to see Neuralable and HyperX’s vision coming to fruition through their technology partnership.
Also: These brain-tracking earbuds use EEG to measure your cognitive performance
Neuralable is a neurotechnology company that develops AI-powered technology to capture, read, and translate brain signal information. The first physical manifestation of Neurable’s technology is in the MW75 Neuro headphones, which incorporate Neurable’s technology into Master and Dynamic’s high-end consumer headphones.
eeg monitor
In this case, the earcups of the headphones are equipped with electroencephalogram (EEG) monitors to track brain waves and measure metrics like focus and stress, thereby “training” the brain to improve reaction time and concentration. This should help gamers, especially those who play first-person shooters (FPS) competitively, determine when their focus is at peak and how to best prepare.
I brought my coworker, Kyle Kucharski, with me for my demo so I could watch him complete the FPS training exercises with headphones. The Neurable team made them do a practice round at AimLabs, in which they had to aim at a target for one minute without any mental pressure. CES week is busy and stressful, and Kyle was already feeling the pressure and stress from the week’s events. Excellent.
In his first practice, Kyle scored 33,333 points with a 75.5% accuracy rate, 478ms reaction time and 126 target hits. Then, the Neuralable team instructed Kyle to complete their Prime Brain Exercise, designed for gamers to sharpen their focus, clear their minds, and prepare for high-stress, high-risk gaming competition.
Plus: The new Luna Band offers voice-based health tracking — no screen or subscription required
During the simulation, the Neuralable team presented a group of white dots on a computer screen. Hundreds of dots, arranged like a school of fish, were disorganized and moving around the display, simulating Kyle’s scattered attention and focus.
The Neuralable team then instructed Kyle to find a way to focus his attention and clear his mind, whether that involved closing his eyes and thinking a relaxing thought or staring at a screen and zoning out.
AI-powered algorithms
EEG sensors woven into the headphones capture her brain waves and use AI-powered algorithms trained on multiple brain wave models to determine when her attention was focused and her mind was clear. As soon as he did this, the group of dots grouped into one large, solid dot, clearly indicating that he was focused and fully attentive.
After completing this exercise, Kyle was instructed to repeat the AimLabs exercise. This time, he scored 39,405 points with an 83.3% accuracy rate, 437ms reaction time and 138 target hits.
According to Neuralable, Kyle’s performance after the prime brain exercise demonstrates the effectiveness of his technique. The team told me this exercise is designed to help eSports athletes understand how to “lock in” before a high-risk competition. From visual cues, they know when their brain is ready to perform under pressure.
I compared this scenario to what all athletes face before a big game. How many times have you watched your favorite athlete or sports team perform at their peak throughout the season, then “choke” in the playoffs, finals, or championship game when the pressure is incredibly high?
In such situations, mental toughness is as important, if not more important, than physical performance. However, harnessing your mental strength in a high-risk situation is arguably more challenging than staying in optimal physical shape.
Support for eSports athletes
The Neuralable team informed me that Neuralble’s technology integrated into the HyperX headphones will help esports athletes and their coaches understand their mental aptitude on any given day, telling them how well or poorly they may perform.
The Neurable app captures and reproduces insights that inform wearers about when their attention is wandering, what motivates them to take breaks, how well their brain handles stress, their mental recovery and cognitive strain.
Also: Every serious gamer should consider Belkin’s new Nintendo Switch case – here’s how
Additionally, exercises like Prime act as mental strength training, establishing a stronger mind-to-muscle connection, except that, unlike your biceps, your brain is both mind and muscle.
