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China Brain Chip Firm Says It Trails Neuralink by 3 Years

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Chinese brain-computer interface company NeuCyber Neurotech said its most advanced brain chip technology is still about three years behind Elon Musk’s Neuralink, highlighting the gap as China accelerates development in the sector.

The company said its latest invasive product, Beinao-2, is still in the animal testing stage, while Neuralink already has more than 20 human trial participants. NeuCyber’s executives said the next steps include early clinical studies and then larger human trials before the technology can move closer to commercial use.

China recently approved its first invasive brain-computer interface device for commercial use, showing how quickly the country is trying to expand in the field. Beijing has also elevated brain-computer interfaces to a priority strategic industry alongside quantum technology and embodied AI.

NeuCyber has already implanted its earlier Beinao-1 system in several patients, including individuals with severe paralysis, and said some users showed improvement in hand movement and computer control. The company aims to broaden trials further this year as it works toward regulatory approval.

The update reflects China’s wider effort to narrow the gap with leading global brain chip developers while building a domestic market for advanced neurotechnology.

Chinese Brain Chip Project Speeds Up Human Trials, Aims for 13 Patients by Year-End

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A Chinese brain chip project, a collaboration between the Chinese Institute for Brain Research (CIBR) and NeuCyber NeuroTech, is accelerating its human trials with the goal of implanting its semi-invasive, wireless Beinao No.1 brain chip into 13 patients by the end of 2025. This move could potentially outpace Elon Musk’s Neuralink in terms of the number of patient data collected.

In the past month, three patients have already received the Beinao No.1 implant, with 10 more scheduled for this year. Next year, the project plans to expand further with a formal clinical trial involving around 50 patients, subject to regulatory approval. This rapid acceleration of human trials could position Beinao No.1 as the brain chip with the highest number of patients worldwide, placing China in direct competition with other leading brain-computer interface (BCI) developers.

While U.S.-based Synchron, which counts Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates as investors, currently leads in human trials with 10 patients, Neuralink’s own wireless brain chips have been tested on three patients. Beinao No.1 is a semi-invasive BCI, placed on the brain’s surface, offering less risk of brain tissue damage compared to Neuralink’s deep brain-implant approach.

Videos recently released by state media showed patients with paralysis using the Beinao No.1 chip to control a robotic arm, showcasing its potential to aid individuals with mobility issues. Despite the early success, CIBR and NeuCyber face challenges in securing sufficient investment, as their project is positioned more for long-term medical benefits than short-term commercial gain.