By simply looking at a screen, blinking and making slight head movements, a user can move a wheelchair or prompt a robotic arm to deliver a cup of water. These are scenes that no longer belong to science fiction but of real-world applications of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology in China. With a multimodal BCI headband, signals from the brain can bypass damaged neural pathways and be decoded by external devices into executable actions.
A patient surnamed Dong, 38, was left paralyzed from the neck down after a car accident in 2020 and had not sweated for more than four years. During a recent BCI rehabilitation session in Shanghai, he experienced slight sweating for the first time. As the first participant in a BCI clinical trial in Shanghai, he underwent an implant procedure at Huashan Hospital a year ago. Over the past year, his hand function has gradually improved - he can now pick up small objects and hold a pen - and his bowel control and lower-limb sensation have also partially recovered.
Huashan Hospital recently conducted his one-year postoperative evaluation. Initial results show his condition has improved, with signs of better hand function and overall recovery. The patient is using the NEO implantable BCI system developed by Neuracle, one of the leading devices currently advancing toward clinical application in China, according to the company, adding that Dong's progress represents one of the company's successful one-year post-implant cases in a small clinical cohort using its NEO system.
Major breakthroughs
The breakthrough of the NEO system lies in its "minimally invasive yet effective" design, which uses a semi-invasive approach to improve safety while preserving signal quality and has shown early potential in neural repair during clinical translation. Its rapid progress has been supported by coordinated efforts across government, industry and medical institutions, offering a viable option for patients with paraplegia, ALS and related conditions, a Neuracle representative surnamed Hu told the Global Times.
Similar cases have emerged across China in the past two years, underscoring how BCI technology is rapidly moving from laboratory research to clinical trials and early industrial adoption. As a direct communication link between the brain and external devices, BCI technology is bringing the idea of "thought-driven control" closer to reality.
BCIs fall into two main categories: invasive and non-invasive. The technology works by using implanted electrodes to capture neural signals generated during brain activity, which are then decoded by a computer into commands that can operate external tools such as robotic arms, exoskeletons or cursor controls, Hu told the Global Times.
The year 2025 is widely regarded as the breakout year of China's BCI industry.
BCI technology is showing strong potential in medical and consumer fields and is gradually moving from research to clinical use. China's BCI market is expected to exceed 3.8 billion yuan ($534 million) in 2025, up from 3.2 billion yuan in 2024 and projected to climb to more than 120 billion yuan by 2040, according to media report.
"The Neuracle NEO implantable BCI is among the first batch of domestic devices to enter China's Special Review Procedure for Innovative Medical Devices and advance to clinical trials, marking an important step forward," Hu told the Global Times. "With a minimally invasive design and wireless power supply, the coin-sized implant sits within the skull, improving safety, concealment and overall quality of life for patients."
"Our multicenter confirmatory trials are already underway, and all implants used in the studies are being provided to patients free of charge," the Neuracle representative told the Global Times, adding that the device has not yet been formally incorporated into China's medical insurance system.
Meanwhile, in November, Shanghai-based medical company Stairmed's implantable wireless BCI system entered the National Medical Products Administration's special review process for innovative medical devices, known as the "green channel." It is the first invasive BCI system in China to receive this designation, marking the creation of an accelerated regulatory pathway for moving domestic BCI technologies from basic research toward product registration and clinical translation, according to the Securities Daily.
The system uses ultra-flexible neural electrodes - about one-hundredth the width of a human hair - that offer high-bandwidth signal acquisition and form a low-scarring interface with brain tissue, a key direction for improving biocompatibility and stable long-term recording in invasive BCIs, according to Shanghai Observer.
In clinical settings, BCIs offer new possibilities for patients with spinal cord injuries or neurological disorders, allowing brain signals to bypass damaged pathways and control external devices such as robotic arms or exoskeleton gloves. Case studies in China have shown gradual improvements in hand function, basic mobility and sensory recovery among patients undergoing BCI-assisted rehabilitation.
Chinese BCI products are also beginning to appear on cross-border medical procurement platforms serving regional markets.
Broader applications
Huang Yue, an official with the Guangxi Medical Security Bureau, told the Global Times on Thursday that China's first minimally invasive implantable BCI rehabilitation system has already been showcased on the China-ASEAN cross-border drug procurement platform.
"Once the product secures market approval, ASEAN markets will be able to purchase it directly through the platform's one-click online procurement mechanism," Huang said. "The platform is becoming a new channel for Chinese medical innovations to reach overseas markets, enabling technologies such as BCI to serve a wider regional population."
Liu Dingding, a veteran industry analyst, told the Global Times that with artificial intelligence (AI) accelerating medical innovation, BCIs are likely to achieve major breakthroughs in the coming years. Once the technology matures, millions of people worldwide with conditions such as vegetative states, cerebral palsy or damaged neural pathways could regain more reliable means of communication. The technology also holds promise in entertainment, gaming and education, from immersive virtual experiences to tools that help train attention or social skills.
Liu said that China has long provided policy support for BCI development, with research and industrial clusters emerging in regions such as the Yangtze River Delta. More importantly, BCIs are closely tied to AI development, and China's systematic investment and early planning in AI lay a strong foundation for future breakthroughs. Liu added that once a core breakthrough occurs, BCIs could see broad application across medical, educational, entertainment and other fields.
In August 2025, China released national guidelines for BCI development, setting the goal of becoming a global leader by 2030. The plan calls for major breakthroughs in core technologies by 2027, including electrodes, chips and integrated devices reaching internationally advanced levels, along with the establishment of a standards framework and the expansion of BCI applications in industrial manufacturing, healthcare and other fields.
By 2030, China aims to build 2-3 globally competitive BCI enterprises and a group of specialized small and medium-sized firms, while forming multiple industrial clusters and fostering new business models to strengthen the country's overall competitiveness in the emerging BCI sector, according to the guidelines.
While BCI technology first gained public attention in the field of medical rehabilitation, its potential applications have been expanding rapidly.
Beyond healthcare, BCI-enabled devices are being tested in everyday scenarios. According to media reports, in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin Province, a driver wearing a BCI headset was able to open a car window using only mental commands. In home settings, consumer-grade EEG devices are being used to adjust lighting and interact with smart-home systems, offering new forms of hands-free control.
By
The Editor
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