Garmin and Meta announce automotive OEM proof of concept with Garmin Unified Cabin and Meta Neural Band

Rhea-AI Summary

Garmin (NYSE:GRMN) and Meta announced an automotive OEM proof-of-concept at CES 2026 that pairs Meta Neural Band EMG wearable input with Garmin Unified Cabin in-vehicle systems. The demo enables passengers to control select infotainment functions using thumb, index and middle-finger gestures detected by the EMG band, aiming to create a lean-back, multi-passenger entertainment experience.

The Unified Cabin demo highlights features such as digital key, AI virtual assistant, seat-scoped audio/visuals, Cabin Chat, Cabin Lighting Show and Personal Audio Sphere, with the Garmin 2026 Unified Cabin featuring Meta Neural Band on display at Garmin booth Jan. 5-9, 2026.

Key Figures

CES year 2026 CES 2026 unveiling of automotive OEM proof-of-concept

Show dates Jan. 5–9, 2026 Garmin 2026 Unified Cabin digital cockpit display window at CES 2026

Booth number 3451 LVCC West Hall, Garmin booth location for invitation-only demo

Finger inputs 3 fingers Thumb, index and middle fingers used for EMG gesture control

Market Reality Check

$209.35 Last Close

Volume Volume 894,641 is slightly below 20-day average 977,780 (relative volume 0.91x). normal

Technical Shares at $203.76 are trading below the 200-day MA of $215.54, about 22% under the $261.69 52-week high and above the $169.2601 52-week low.

Peers on Argus

GRMN is up 0.65% while peers are mixed: KEYS +0.6%, TDY +1.03%, TRMB +1.19%, versus FTV -1.67% and COHR -5.72%, suggesting a company-specific tilt to this collaboration news.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 03	Data report release	Positive	+1.2%	Global activity and health trends from 2025 Garmin Connect Data Report.
Dec 02	Product launch	Positive	+0.1%	Launch of inReach Mini 3 Plus satellite communicator with expanded features.
Dec 02	Defense contract win	Positive	+0.1%	Selection of G5000H to modernize 24 Brazilian Air Force UH-60L cockpits.
Nov 20	Design award	Positive	-1.3%	Garmin OnBoard wins 2025 DAME Design Award for safety and security system.
Nov 06	Innovation awards	Positive	-0.7%	Five CES 2026 Innovation Awards across multiple Garmin product categories.

Pattern Detected

Product and innovation news has often led to modest positive moves, though some award-related announcements saw mild negative reactions.

Recent Company History

Over the past two months, Garmin has highlighted several innovation-driven milestones. A Dec 2, 2025 launch of the inReach Mini 3 Plus and a Brazilian Air Force G5000H cockpit upgrade both saw small positive reactions around +0.15%. A broader 2025 Garmin Connect Data Report on Dec 3, 2025 coincided with a stronger +1.16% move. However, design and innovation awards in November, including a DAME Design Award and five CES 2026 Innovation Awards, were followed by modest declines. Today’s Meta collaboration fits this ongoing innovation narrative.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights a collaboration between Garmin’s Unified Cabin and Meta’s Neural Band, using electromyography (EMG)-based gestures for in-vehicle infotainment control. It extends Garmin’s recent cadence of innovation news around CES and advanced cockpits. Investors following the story may track future OEM adoption, integration beyond proof-of-concept, and how these capabilities complement Garmin’s existing automotive and ADAS offerings. Monitoring subsequent productization milestones and any disclosed commercial agreements will be important.

Key Terms

electromyography medical

"Meta Neural Band and its electromyography technology with Garmin's Unified Cabin"

Electromyography (EMG) is a medical test that records the tiny electrical signals muscles make when they contract, using sensors placed on or in the muscle—think of it as checking the wiring and signals between nerves and muscles. Investors care because EMG is a key tool for diagnosing neuromuscular conditions and evaluating treatments or devices; clear EMG results can influence clinical adoption, regulatory decisions and the commercial prospects of related healthcare products.

EMG medical

"gestures sensed by the EMG band using the thumb, index, and middle fingers"

Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic test that measures the tiny electrical signals produced by muscles when they contract, using sensors placed on the skin or small needles inserted into the muscle. For investors, EMG results matter when they relate to medical devices, drugs, or therapies because clear improvements or safety signals can indicate clinical benefit and drive regulatory approval, market adoption, and potential revenue—similar to an electrician testing wiring to confirm a building is safe and functional.

AI Virtual Assistant technical

"AI Virtual Assistant capable of executing multiple actions from a single voice command"

An AI virtual assistant is a software program that uses artificial intelligence to understand questions, carry out tasks, or provide information through speech or text—like a digital receptionist or concierge that responds to customers and employees. Investors care because these assistants can reduce costs, boost sales or user engagement, and affect customer satisfaction and regulatory risk, so their adoption and performance can materially influence a company’s revenue, expenses, and reputation.

digital cockpit technical

"Garmin Unified Cabin is a digital cockpit demo showcase that delivers scalable"

A digital cockpit is the suite of screens, controls and software inside a vehicle that presents driving information, entertainment, navigation and vehicle settings to the driver and passengers. Think of it as the car’s central command center or a smartphone built into the dashboard; it matters to investors because it can drive sales, recurring software and service revenue, differentiate products, and affect costs and partnerships across hardware, software and data services.

advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) technical

"as well as advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) functionality"

Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are electronic features in vehicles that help drivers avoid accidents and make driving easier by handling tasks like automatic braking, lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, and parking assistance. For investors, ADAS is important because it drives demand for sensors, software and chips, influences vehicle pricing and safety ratings, and positions companies for future growth as cars move toward greater automation—think of ADAS as a smart co‑pilot that changes what consumers buy and how automakers compete.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Global technology leaders team up on innovative wearable integration to showcase next-generation input for in-vehicle command and control capabilities

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Garmin and Meta today announced an automotive OEM proof-of-concept that connects Meta Neural Band and its electromyography technology with Garmin's Unified Cabin suite of in-vehicle technology solutions. Unveiled at CES 2026, the proof of concept allows passengers to control select vehicle infotainment functions with gestures sensed by the EMG band using the thumb, index, and middle fingers. This initial concept sets the stage to introduce new interaction methods for displays and vehicle functions while delivering a true lean-back entertainment experience for multiple passengers.

"Garmin Automotive OEM is excited to team up with Meta to create a groundbreaking proof of concept for in-vehicle entertainment that supports convenience and situational awareness. This collaboration is another way Garmin continues to deliver innovative, consumer-centric OEM solutions."
–Matt Munn, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Garmin Automotive OEM

Meta Neural Band is an entirely new kind of wearable that translates subtle neural signals from the muscles at the wrist into digital actions. Its EMG technology allows for detection of a rich set of gestures that make interfacing with computers and cars feel natural. Launched with a simple set of actions, like clicks, scrolls and dials, the wristband can become capable of recognizing increasingly complex inputs as time goes on, like translating subtle finger handwriting movements into digital text.

"Meta Neural Band and its EMG technology could be the best way to control any device. Once you start using the band regularly, you want it to control more than just your AI glasses. We've already developed prototype experiences for the band to control devices in your home, and it's been great to team up with Garmin to showcase its potential in your car. We're excited about all the possibilities EMG can unlock as a future input platform over time."
–Alex Himel, VP, Wearables, Meta

Garmin Unified Cabin is a digital cockpit demo showcase that delivers scalable, intuitive, immersive and personalized entertainment experiences powered by a single control module. New Unified Cabin features demonstrated at CES 2026 include: Digital key, AI Virtual Assistant capable of executing multiple actions from a single voice command, seat-scoped audio and visuals, enhanced personalization, Cabin Chat, Cabin Lighting Show and Personal Audio Sphere. Unified Cabin features and technologies will be tailored to meet specific OEM needs.

The Garmin 2026 Unified Cabin digital cockpit featuring the Meta Neural Band will be on display by invitation only at the Garmin booth at CES 2026 in Las Vegas from Jan. 5-9 in the LVCC West Hall, Booth 3451. To schedule a demo, email media.relations@garmin.com.

Garmin Automotive OEM utilizes the company's long-standing expertise in user experience and hardware design from its automotive, avionics and marine segments to develop comprehensive infotainment and domain controller solutions. The company's geographically diverse and highly automated manufacturing capabilities support a broad range of in-vehicle electronic strategies for the automotive industry including intelligent video driving recorders and computing modules, as well as advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) functionality. With dedicated offices and production facilities throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, Garmin Automotive OEM provides a variety of hardware and software solutions to leading automobile manufacturers such as BMW Group, Ford, Honda, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Toyota, Geely, Kawasaki and Yamaha Motor. For more information, email our media team, connect with us on LinkedIn, or visit us online at garmin.com/aoem.

About Garmin International, Inc.
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin is a registered trademark, and Unified Cabin is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2024, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983), and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 26, 2025 filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 001-41118). Copies of such Form 10-K and Form 10-Q are available at https://www.garmin.com/en-US/investors/sec/.  No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

MEDIA CONTACT
Krista Klaus
Garmin Director of Global Corporate Communications
913-397-8200
media.relations@garmin.com

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SOURCE Garmin International, Inc.

FAQ

What did Garmin and Meta unveil at CES 2026 for GRMN?

They unveiled a proof-of-concept pairing Meta Neural Band EMG input with Garmin Unified Cabin to control select infotainment functions via finger gestures.

How does the Meta Neural Band control vehicle functions with GRMN Unified Cabin?

The band uses electromyography (EMG) to detect thumb, index and middle-finger gestures and translate them into clicks, scrolls and dials for infotainment control.

When and where was the Garmin Unified Cabin with Meta Neural Band shown?

It was displayed by invitation at Garmin's CES 2026 booth in Las Vegas from January 5–9, 2026.

Which Unified Cabin features accompany the Meta Neural Band demo from GRMN?

Features include digital key, AI virtual assistant, seat-scoped audio/visuals, Cabin Chat, Cabin Lighting Show and Personal Audio Sphere.

How can investors or media schedule a demo of Garmin's CES 2026 Unified Cabin (GRMN)?

To schedule a demo, email Garmin's media relations at media.relations@garmin.com as noted for the CES display.