David Segal, Inventor and Co-Founder of Naqi Logix, explained where the idea for the startup and its innovation came from: “In 2013, after reading about a soldier receiving a thought-controlled prosthetic arm, I became fascinated by the potential of thought-controlled technology. A quick Google search led me to various devices controlled by brainwaves – everything from mouse cursors to wheelchairs and even F-35 flight yokes. I figured, if you can move a mouse cursor in three dimensions using brain waves, then what’s the difference between that and steering a wheelchair or moving a flight stick? In my mind, they seemed like different dishes made from the same core ingredients.”

As he continued to research, he began to wonder: could micro-gestures offer a more practical and seamless alternative?

“This sparked the idea for a completely new kind of human-machine interface – one that could fit inside an earbud and allow users to control digital devices, robots, smart home IoT, wheelchairs, prosthetics, etc.

No mouse, keyboard, screen, or camera required. Instead, a blink, an eyebrow raise, or jaw clench paired with slight head movement could unlock an effortless connection to the digital world.”

Naqi Logix

“The very DNA of our company is to help others and to improve humanity, one person at a time,” commented Segal.

Naqi Logix’s technology has been built to empower individuals with quadriplegia and conditions that limit hand use. He explained: “Our technology enables seamless interaction with devices, making computer input and device control not just possible, but fast, accurate, and highly productive. Many people who are affected with these conditions want to contribute again within the workplace. Although it’s possible for some of them to get jobs, they’re often jobs they don’t want to do or they’re jobs that, in their minds, are ‘token’ positions because they know they’re not as productive as their able-bodied colleagues. Simply put: they want to be competitive again.”

The technology can also be used by able-bodied individuals too, which Segal believes will be seen as “nothing short of magic.” This technology could be used as a third arm whilst gaming, controlling AR/VR/XR wearables, or even interfacing with AI.

Naqi Earbuds

Naqi Logix’s core product is the Naqi Earbuds, which use a combination of gyroscopic input and electrical signals that are created when making facial micro-gestures, such as raising your eyebrows, clenching your jaw, or firmly blinking your eyes.

Segal clarified: “Our neural earbuds function like any normal pair of earbuds until we detect a ‘primer,’ which can be defined as any micro- gestural facial movement. In the same way that using voice command primers such as ‘Hey Google,’ ‘Alexa,’ or ‘Siri,’ make your devices spring to life waiting for a command, it’s probably fair to say that clenching your jaw or raising your eyebrow is our equivalent to ‘Hey Naqi.’

“When the Naqi Earbuds detect a primer, the earbuds launch our Invisible User Interface (IUI), where the user can choose what they'd like to control or select an action from a menu of pre-defined executions. Of course, one option might be something like PC or Mac control, another might be a home IoT function, etc. Although the IUI requires a screen to set-up and configure, it does not require the user to view a screen while navigating its content due to delivering audio queues to the user.”

A potential concern with technology like the Naqi Earbuds can be the issue of accuracy, however, this isn’t a problem for Naqi Logix.

“We recently demonstrated the ability to fly a simulated 737 in X-Plane 12, which is a leading flight simulator. And it wasn’t just the ability to control the flight yoke, we demonstrated that one could control the entire plane, the full virtual cockpit, with the speed and accuracy required to fly the plane without crashing.

“Many might be amazed at this and others might say ‘why?’ Personally, my ‘why’ was just to show that it could be done. I strongly believe if I can fly a simulated 737, then there isn’t much a person couldn’t control on their computer.

“Most recently, we demonstrated the ability to control Revit 2025, which is an AutoDesk CAD platform, and control it really well. Again, imagine the ability to control CAD using nothing but the input from neural earbuds? How could this effect society? Can we bring millions of people back into the workplace?”

This circles back to the Naqi Logix mission, helping others and improving humanity, one person at a time. Bringing this technology to people who don’t have the physical ability to use technology means a more interconnected world, and a stronger workforce.

The challenges of the journey

Startups always encounter challenges, and building an innovative hardware product that is completely original, means there are new challenges to face and overcome.

Segal discussed the main challenge, and the factors that have helped the company overcome it: “Building a novel wearable that’s never been created before, we can expect all of the challenges a typical tech startup would experience and then some. When I first started my journey back in 2013, which was about when true wireless earbuds first hit the market, imagine how hard it was to pitch the idea of a hands-free, voice- free, and screen-free neural interface using earbuds.

“I attribute two primary factors in helping overcome these enormous challenges. The first factor would be persistence. I started this journey 12 years ago this October. I’m either too stubborn to quit or too stupid to quit – either way, I always kept marching forward and tried to make progress every day.

“The second factor would be bringing on a top CEO, which allowed me to focus on what I do best. I think every founder wants to be the CEO of their startup, and the truth is, few have the skillset required to be successful. I view launching a new startup as being the founder of a professional football team. What are the odds that the founder is also the first-round draft pick quarterback? Maybe you are … maybe you’re not. I think you have to be honest with yourself, and if you’re not making progress, make sure you look in the mirror and ask yourself if you’re the best person for the position. The moment I brought on a top- level CEO, everything started to blossom, and it blossomed quickly.”

The highlights of the journey

“We’ve been blessed in that we’ve had quite a few highlights,” cheered Segal as he recalled these great moments.

Naqi Logix is no stranger to winning awards: “We’ve experienced a stretch of highlights that started from the end of 2023 when TIME selected Naqi as one of the best inventions of 2023. Shortly thereafter, we were selected as an Innovation Honoree, as well as winning a TWICE Picks Award, and a USA Today Reviewed AccessABILITY at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). During CES that year, Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, stopped by Naqi’s booth in Eureka Park. Hosting Satya in our small booth and having the opportunity to show him how our neural earbuds worked was definitely a highlight in our journey.

“After CES that year, we won a gold medal at the 2024 Edison Awards and another collection of innovation awards from various groups and magazine features, that lead up to CES 2025 in January, where we won two back-to-back innovation awards: CES Innovation Honoree and TWICE Picks.

“Being recognised for various innovation awards is important because it’s a positive feedback loop to our R&D team that we’re on the right track.”

When creating such an innovative product that has the ability to change and improve the lives of many, seeing the impact that it can make to those that need it is a highlight in itself. “For me, personally, putting the earbud in users’ ears who can’t move at all below their neck and watching them control their computer in a productive manner is my number one highlight. It creates a feeling in my heart that makes the last twelve years seem like twelve minutes.”

What the future holds

The future for this futuristic technology is bright, and there is a lot to come, but Segal’s first goal is commercialisation, as “commercialising our neural earbuds is our top priority.”

Beyond commercialisation, Segal remains stubborn on his original mission. “If someone were to ask me what my number one goal is with Naqi it would have to be improving the lives of millions of people around the world who rely on assistive input technology and creating a technology that could serve as a safe, non-invasive alternative to brain implants.

“All of this comes down to two words: creating impact.”

This article originally appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Startups Magazine. Click here to subscribe