🚀 Big news from the Chinese mainland! A team of researchers at the CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, in partnership with Huashan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University, have unlocked a new level of brain-computer interface (BCI) magic.
BCI tech comes in three flavors: invasive, semi-invasive, and non-invasive. This breakthrough is all about invasive BCI, where ultra-thin electrodes (each thinner than 1% of a human hair) are implanted directly into the brain to translate thoughts into action.
In a recent clinical trial, a middle-aged man with quadriplegia from a spinal cord injury steered his wheelchair outdoors and even commanded a robotic dog to fetch takeout—using only his mind. 🤯
Back in March, the team performed the first implant, enabling patients to play chess with their thoughts and race in virtual cars. Now, a second participant has joined the trial, opening doors to even more real-world applications.
Earlier BCIs were stuck in 2D mode, limited to controlling cursors on screens. Now, scientists are breaking free from the monitor, letting patients perform 3D actions in complex, dynamic environments—think obstacle courses and emergency stops with zero tolerance for delay.
To make this dream real, the team tackled four core challenges:
- Neural data compression and a hybrid decoding model that boosts performance by 15–20%.
- A neural manifold alignment technique to ensure stable reading of brain signals despite mood swings or noisy surroundings.
- Online recalibration technology that adjusts system parameters on the fly, no need to pause for tweaks.
- Ultra-fast synchronization cutting delay from thought to action to under 100 ms (faster than a typical brain-to-body command!).
Thanks to these innovations, patients with the new electrodes can seamlessly interact with the real world as if their devices are extensions of their own bodies. 🦾
As this trial continues, the future of neurotech looks brighter than ever—mind-controlled mobility could soon be more than sci-fi. Stay tuned for the next chapters in this brain-bending journey! 🌟
Reference(s):
Chinese scientists make breakthrough in brain-computer interface trial
cgtn.com
