Meta's Brain-Machine Interface Powers Next-Gen Vehicle Control in Garmin Partnership

What if you could command your car’s entertainment system with just a flick of your fingers? That’s the reality Garmin and Meta are bringing closer with their latest automotive collaboration, unveiled as a proof of concept at CES 2026.

The initiative hinges on Meta’s Neural Band—equipped with cutting-edge electromyography (EMG) technology—working seamlessly with Garmin’s Unified Cabin platform. The synergy enables drivers and passengers to manipulate infotainment controls through intuitive hand gestures, using just the thumb, index, and middle fingers. It’s a glimpse into how neural interfaces might reshape in-vehicle user experiences.

Reimagining the Cabin Experience

The proof of concept demonstrates far more than gesture recognition. Garmin’s expanded Unified Cabin suite introduces several game-changing features that redefine what modern vehicles can offer:

Digital key functionality eliminates the need for physical key fobs, while an AI Virtual Assistant handles complex tasks triggered by simple voice commands. Seat-scoped audio and visuals personalize the experience for individual occupants, ensuring each passenger gets their own optimized entertainment stream.

Beyond entertainment, the ecosystem includes Cabin Chat for inter-passenger communication, Cabin Lighting Shows for ambient customization, and Personal Audio Sphere technology that delivers isolated sound experiences. These aren’t just incremental upgrades—they represent a fundamental shift in how occupants interact with their vehicles.

The Broader Implications

The proof of concept signals a turning point in automotive technology. By merging neural interface capabilities with sophisticated cabin management systems, Garmin and Meta are positioning EMG-based control as a viable alternative to traditional touchscreens and voice commands. This convergence could accelerate adoption of brain-computer interfaces across consumer vehicles, making the cabin less of a transportation space and more of a personalized digital environment.

The CES 2026 showcase marks an early milestone, but the implications run deeper—expect to see similar integrations emerge across the automotive industry as manufacturers race to differentiate through next-generation control mechanisms.