Key points from article :
China is rapidly expanding its efforts in brain–computer interface (BCI) technology, with government funding and scientific talent accelerating innovation in devices aimed at helping people with paralysis regain movement and communication abilities. A standout development is a deep-brain device created by Shanghai-based company StairMed, which enabled a man without limbs to play computer games. Though it uses fewer probes than similar U.S. devices like Neuralink’s, the implant is smaller and less invasive, highlighting China's focus on practicality and scalability.
Researchers across China are making strides in neural decoding algorithms, implantation techniques, and hardware design. One prominent project is NEO, a minimally invasive, wireless BCI with eight sensors placed on the dura mater (outer brain membrane). Developed by a team at Tsinghua University, NEO has helped a man with paralysis improve hand function over 20 months of use. While its surface-level signals are less precise than deep-brain probes, the device is more user-friendly and long-lasting. The team is also working to incorporate neuromorphic chips into the probe, mimicking brain activity more efficiently than traditional silicon.
Other breakthroughs include NeuroXess’s system that allowed a Mandarin-speaking woman to communicate at 50 words per minute using a brain implant — the first demonstration of real-time Mandarin decoding via BCI. The same team also enabled another participant to control a wheelchair and navigate social media. These applications show promise for both medical and everyday use, especially in a country with a large population needing assistive technologies.
While many of these trials are still in early stages and yet to be peer-reviewed, China’s coordinated national support, growing technical expertise, and large-scale clinical testing are positioning it as a major player in BCI development. Experts believe the integration of intelligent robotics and smart systems with BCI could give China an edge over other countries, particularly in creating comprehensive solutions for people with disabilities.
