Imagine controlling your laptop or phone without touching it—just by thinking. What once sounded like science fiction is slowly becoming reality. While Elon Musk’s Neuralink is working on brain implants to achieve this, a California-based startup, Sabi, is taking a completely different route—no surgery, no chips inside your brain.

Sabi is developing a wearable cap (or beanie) that can convert your thoughts into text on a screen. This means you could potentially type messages, write documents, or control devices simply by thinking, eliminating the need for physical interaction. The idea is to make brain-computer interaction accessible to everyday users without the risks of surgical procedures.

The technology behind this innovation is based on Electroencephalography (EEG). The cap uses sensors placed on the scalp to detect electrical signals generated by the brain. These signals are then processed and translated into commands that a computer can understand. Unlike Neuralink, which requires a chip implanted directly into the brain for high-precision signals, Sabi’s approach works externally through wearable headgear.

However, this convenience comes with limitations. Since EEG sensors capture signals through layers of skin and skull, the data is weaker and less accurate compared to implanted devices. This can affect the speed and precision of the system. Currently, the company claims the cap can achieve typing speeds of around 30 words per minute, which may improve as the technology evolves and adapts to individual users.

Backed by investor Vinod Khosla and co-founded by Rahul Chhabra, the startup is also exploring different designs, including versions integrated into everyday caps like baseball hats. The goal is to make the technology seamless and easy to use in daily life.

While it’s not exactly “reading minds” in the literal sense, this cap represents a major step toward a future where thoughts can directly interact with technology—no surgery required.