Chinese researchers are on the verge of launching a clinical trial for their innovative brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, known as NEO, with plans to begin in 2025. This trial is expected to involve at least 30 patients who will receive implantations of the NEO device, which has been developed by Neuracle Technology in collaboration with Tsinghua University. The NEO device has already seen three successful implantations, including one in a 38-year-old patient with spinal cord injuries, marking a significant milestone in BCI technology [55437e3a].
The surgery for these implantations reportedly took about one hour and forty minutes, and the NEO device received special approval in August 2024, making it the first BCI product to enter China's 'green channel' for expedited medical devices. Previous iterations of BCI implants have enabled patients to perform tasks such as drinking water and moving a cursor, showcasing the potential of this technology to significantly enhance quality of life for individuals with neurological disorders [55437e3a].
This clinical trial announcement was made during the BCI Society and Chen Institute Joint BCI Meeting held in Shanghai, where Mao Ying, head of the National Centre for Neurological Disorders, played a key role in the discussions surrounding the advancements in BCI technology [55437e3a]. As China continues to invest heavily in BCI research, the implications of these developments extend beyond medical applications, raising questions about the potential military applications of such technologies, as previously noted in discussions about the broader landscape of BCI research in China [8c2a1fa9].
With the integration of cognitive enhancement goals into the Chinese Communist Party's ethical guidelines for BCI research, the trajectory of this technology could reshape both medical and military domains, emphasizing the need for ongoing international dialogue about the ethical implications of such advancements [8c2a1fa9].