For many years, the idea of controlling machines with the mind was confined to science fiction. Now, it is starting to become a reality. Researchers and governments are investing heavily in technology that enables a direct connection between the human brain and electronic systems. Recent clinical trials show rapid progress, and experts suggest that real-world applications could arrive sooner than once expected.
In recent years, scientists have advanced the development of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), a technology that captures electrical signals from the brain and converts them into commands to control external devices.
In simple terms, brain activity can be decoded by computers and turned into actions. This opens up a transformative possibility: operating machines using only thoughts, without relying on keyboards, screens, or other traditional tools.
Experts believe the earliest uses will be in medicine. Individuals with paralysis or limited mobility could regain a degree of independence through systems controlled directly by their brains.
Based on current projections, researchers estimate that practical applications could begin reaching the public within the next three to five years.
Yao Dezhong, director of the Sichuan Institute of Brain Sciences, highlighted this outlook during interviews at political meetings in Beijing.
Clinical Trials Move Brain-Computer Interfaces from Lab to Humans
The technology has progressed beyond the experimental phase and is now being tested on humans. Currently, over ten clinical trials involving brain implants are ongoing in the country.
These trials use devices that capture signals directly from the brain, converting motor intentions into digital commands.
Early results have drawn significant interest from the scientific community. Some patients with paralysis have regained partial mobility through brain-controlled systems, while other participants have been able to operate robotic hands and smart wheelchairs using only their thoughts.
These developments show that the technology already has practical applications, though it still requires further testing and refinement before widespread use.
To expand the research, scientists plan to recruit more than fifty new participants across multiple centers in the country.
China considers the development of brain-computer interfaces not just a scientific breakthrough but also a strategic priority for its technological future.
Brain-Computer Interfaces Highlighted as Strategic Industry in Five-Year Plan
The technology is a priority in China’s new five-year plan, alongside AI, 6G, and nuclear fusion.
Beyond funding research and building scientific infrastructure, the government is implementing policies to speed up public access to these treatments.
Some pilot provinces have already incorporated brain-computer interface procedures into public health insurance programs.
Experts suggest that this institutional backing could accelerate the transition of the technology into practical clinical applications.
Beyond scientific and medical interest, brain-computer interfaces have sparked a new arena of technological competition among countries and companies.
U.S. Companies Lead in Invasive Brain-Computer Implant Technology
U.S. firms like Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, are developing brain implants that link the brain to computers, using surgical robots to insert hundreds of electrodes quickly.
Chinese researchers, however, are pursuing alternative approaches. Alongside invasive implants, they are developing non-invasive and semi-invasive systems. Semi-invasive devices sit on the surface of the brain without deeply penetrating tissue, reducing surgical risks but posing challenges in signal quality.
Experts involved in the research highlight China’s scientific and industrial strengths as key to rapid progress. China’s large population, strong STEM training, and cost-competitive industrial supply chain provide strategic advantages.
According to estimates from consulting firm CCID, the domestic market for this technology could reach around 5.58 billion yuan (approximately 809 million USD) by 2027.
Read the original article on: gizmodo
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