The first successful clinical trial of an invasive neural interface that allows you to control a computer with your mind was conducted in China. A patient with tetraplegia (paralysis of all limbs) was able to play chess and other competitive games using only brain activity after the device was implanted.
„Now I can control the computer with my thoughts. "It feels like I can move," the patient shared his impressions.
The implantation took place on March 25, 2025 in Shanghai and was a joint project of the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligent Technology (CEBSIT) and Huashan Hospital.
Minimally invasive surgery was used, and the implant itself is the smallest and most flexible in the world: its thickness is less than 6 mm, and the electrode area is 5-7 times smaller than that of similar devices. This reduces trauma to brain tissue and ensures stable transmission of neurosignals.
China has become the second country after the United States where such technologies have officially reached clinical trials on humans. Researchers are already planning the next step: controlling a robotic arm to perform everyday tasks, such as grasping and carrying objects. The future includes integration with more sophisticated devices, including robotic dogs and other intelligent assistants.
The technology could radically change the lives of millions of people with severe spinal cord injuries, amputations, and neurodegenerative diseases. The neural interface is expected to be on the market by 2028. Government agencies have already developed payment standards and included the procedure in medical service tariffs, paving the way for mass use.