China trials brain-computer interface for paralysis reaching a significant milestone in this technology.
China has achieved a major milestone by completing its first clinical trial of an invasive brain-computer interface (BCI). This pioneering effort was jointly conducted by the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, and multiple industry collaborators.
With this achievement, China has become the second nation in the world to reach the clinical trial stage for invasive BCI technologies.
The clinical subject is a man who lost all four limbs in a high-voltage accident. Since the BCI system was implanted in March 2025, it has functioned smoothly. Within two to three weeks of training, the patient could control chess and racing games with brain signals, achieving coordination comparable to that of a healthy person using a touchpad. This breakthrough shows great potential for improving life for people with mobility impairments due to spinal injuries or amputations.
The CEBSIT-developed neural electrode is currently the smallest and most flexible of its kind globally. Its ultra-flexible structure allows it to integrate with brain tissue while minimizing immune responses and potential harm. It enables long-term, dense, and wide-range neural signal recording. Successfully tested in rodents, primates, and now humans, the technology solves longstanding challenges of older BCI implants such as poor compatibility with tissue and narrow signal capture.
From a surgical perspective, CEBSIT’s device is also the most compact invasive BCI to date—measuring only 26mm in diameter and under 6mm in thickness. Rather than piercing the full skull, the implant fits into a shallow recess above the motor cortex, with just a 5mm hole made in the bone, significantly lowering surgical risks and recovery time through a minimally invasive approach.
Accurate mapping and implantation are critical to system performance. Prior to surgery, Huashan Hospital used functional MRI, brain atlases, and 3D modeling to chart the patient’s motor cortex in detail. This advanced preparation allowed electrodes to be placed with millimeter precision, ensuring both safety and high-quality signal detection.
The next stage of the project will focus on enabling the patient to control a robotic arm to carry out everyday actions like picking up and moving objects. Looking ahead, the team aims to develop capabilities for operating more advanced systems, such as four-legged robots and intelligent robotic assistants, to further increase users’ physical independence and interaction with the environment.
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