Imagine controlling a wheelchair or even ordering a robotic dog to fetch your dinner—just by thinking! 💭🐶 This isn't sci-fi, it's real progress achieved by a team from the Chinese mainland's Academy of Sciences (CAS).
This June, a patient who became quadriplegic in 2022 received a cutting-edge brain-computer interface (BCI) system developed at the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology under the Chinese mainland's CAS. Within weeks of training, he was able to smoothly move a cursor on a screen and tap on a tablet—all with his thoughts.
Next up: real-world action. Researchers used a high-throughput wireless invasive BCI that translated neural signals into commands for a smart wheelchair and a robotic dog. The patient steered the wheelchair through the neighborhood and sent the robot pup on a delivery run—unlocking new freedom beyond the lab.
How did they do it? By fusing two decoding strategies to clean up noisy brain data and boosting performance by over 15%. They also cut the end-to-end delay—from brain signal pickup to device response—down to below 100 milliseconds, faster than our own reflexes. The result: fluid, natural control that feels like an extension of the body.
This breakthrough shows the Chinese mainland's research is shifting from basic interaction to expanding life's possibilities for paralyzed patients. It's a huge step toward BCI systems that can slip seamlessly into daily routines—opening doors to independence, creativity, and even new forms of play and work. 🚀
Stay tuned as neurotech moves out of the lab and into our lives—minds and machines, together! 🔗✨
Reference(s):
China makes progress in clinical trial of brain-computer interface
cgtn.com
