Beyond Augmented Reality: Meta's EMG Wristband Expands Its Reach

Collaborating with Garmin: A New Avenue for In-Car Controls

For several years, Meta has been delving into the world of electromyography (EMG) technology. The company marked a significant milestone in 2025 by introducing this technology in their Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, which users could command through a unique neural wristband adept at interpreting delicate wrist muscle movements.

At the recent CES 2026, Meta showcased an innovative application of this neural band beyond its signature smart glasses. By collaborating with Garmin and various research entities, Meta is on a quest to unveil exciting possibilities for its wrist-worn controller.

Inside the Car: Exploring Meta's Neural Band Application

Previously, Garmin and Meta have teamed up for fitness features integrated into their glasses. This year's CES introduced a nascent demonstration of how Meta's neural band might operate within a vehicle's infotainment setup.

This initiative is part of Garmin's "Unified Cabin" vision, which is centered around AI-focused in-car functionality. During the demo, wearing the neural band allowed for control of two apps on Garmin's cockpit touchscreen. The first task involved simple pinch and swipe commands to interact with a digital car model, reminiscent of adjusting images with the display glasses. Another unexpected demo involved the puzzle game 2048, where tile manipulation was completed with similar gestures.

While such demonstrations may not align with traditional views of car entertainment, Garmin, partnering with several major automotive brands, is keen to explore more functional applications, including window adjustments and door operations using the neural band.

Empowering Accessibility through Research

Additionally, Meta announced a partnership with the University of Utah to delve into how its EMG technology can benefit individuals with conditions like ALS and muscular dystrophy, which impact hand functionality.

This collaboration aims to identify gestures that could empower users to manage household gadgets such as speakers, blinds, and thermostats via the neural band. Meta highlights in a blog post that this band is capable of detecting minor wrist muscle impulses, even in those unable to actively move their hands. Further exploration includes employing the band for mobility solutions like the TetraSki project, which traditionally uses joystick or oral controllers to facilitate skiing.