China has launched its first human trial of an invasive Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) in Shanghai, enabling a paralyzed man to control games with his thoughts.
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| A Chinese man paralyzed for 13 years now controls games using only his thoughts, thanks to China’s pioneering invasive Brain-Computer Interface trial. Image: Collected |
SHANGHAI, China — June 14, 2025:
A pioneering clinical trial in Shanghai has achieved a breakthrough in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, enabling a man who has been paralyzed for 13 years to play chess and racing games simply by thinking. This extraordinary development follows the implantation of an invasive BCI into his brain, marking China's first human trial of this advanced technology.
The groundbreaking experiment is being conducted by scientists at the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in partnership with Huashan Hospital of Fudan University. With this trial, China joins the United States as only the second nation to advance invasive BCIs to the clinical stage.
Implanted in March 2025, the device has shown no complications such as infections or malfunctions, and researchers are optimistic that it could receive regulatory approval by 2028. If successful, the technology could revolutionize life for individuals with spinal cord injuries, amputations, or conditions like ALS, significantly improving their quality of life.
BCIs link the brain directly to external systems, enabling users to communicate and control devices with their thoughts. According to CEBSIT Deputy Director Shi Yongyong, this technology not only decodes the brain’s neural signals but also offers new possibilities for treating neurological disorders and advancing human-machine interaction.
For years, BCI research involved bulky machines that limited practicality. The breakthrough in Shanghai, however, uses ultra-thin, flexible electrodes, just 1% the diameter of a human hair, which cause minimal disruption to brain tissue. Lead researcher Zhao Zhengtuo explains that these electrodes capture highly stable, detailed neural signals over long periods, with successful tests already conducted on rodents, monkeys, and now humans.
The device itself is compact, measuring just 26 mm in diameter and under 6 mm thick, roughly half the size of a similar device from Elon Musk’s Neuralink. According to lead researcher Li Xue, the system can convert brain signals into actionable control commands in milliseconds—faster than the blink of an eye.
The implant procedure was minimally invasive, with precision being crucial. Neurosurgeon Lu Junfeng, who led the operation, utilized advanced navigation techniques to place the electrodes accurately within the motor cortex of the brain. This approach ensures that the implant causes minimal disruption and aids in the precise collection of neural signals.
BCIs are typically categorized into three types: non-invasive (external), semi-invasive (partially internal), and invasive (fully implanted). The invasive BCI used in this trial offers the highest level of precision, as explained by Lu Junfeng, comparing it to microphones positioned directly on football players for real-time, accurate data, as opposed to the less precise microphones outside the stadium (non-invasive) or inside (semi-invasive).
Looking to the future, the research team plans to expand the device’s functionality, with the next goal being to enable the patient to control a robotic arm for everyday tasks such as holding a cup. Researchers also hope to integrate more advanced tools, such as robotic pets and smart robots, to further enhance mobility and independence for those with severe disabilities.
This trial marks a crucial milestone in the evolution of BCIs and holds the promise of transforming the way people with disabilities interact with the world. As China joins the ranks of countries pushing the boundaries of neurotechnology, this breakthrough could lay the foundation for a new era of accessible, thought-controlled devices.