On December 24, 2024, traffic police officer Liu Boqi’s life changed forever. A severe car accident fractured his cervical spine and caused a complete spinal cord injury. Doctors said his chances of survival were close to zero. Instead of succumbing or remaining completely paralyzed, Liu’s story took an unexpected turn.
By June 2025, six months after the crash, Liu was taking his first steps—thanks to a groundbreaking spinal cord interface surgery. Led by spinal surgeon Wu Minfei at the Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, the team created a digital bridge connecting Liu’s brain to his spinal cord using advanced brain-machine interface technology. Just six hours after surgery, Liu could move his paralyzed fingers—a sign of recovery beyond any expectation.
In January 2025, a second operation reinforced the repair. Then came intensive rehab sessions and a futuristic exoskeleton, which helped Liu build strength and stability. Now, in November 2025, almost a year after the accident, Liu stands on his own and walks with the aid of the robotic suit.
Emojis aside, this isn’t sci-fi—it’s the front line of medical innovation. For patients with spinal cord injuries worldwide, Liu’s journey represents hope. Entrepreneurs are already exploring how similar technologies could become more accessible, while researchers study ways to refine the brain-machine interface for even better results.
Could Liu Boqi’s recovery be the first of many? As more patients prepare for this procedure, the medical community watches closely. If exoskeletons and neural interfaces continue to deliver, paralyzed lives might truly get a second chance to walk, run, and live independently again. 💪🤖🧠
Reference(s):
Rebuilding the spinal cord: Can technology restart paralyzed lives?
cgtn.com
