Yazılar

China Brain Chip Firm Says It Trails Neuralink by 3 Years

/in /tarafından

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.

Neuralink Plans High-Volume Brain Implant Production by 2026, Musk Says

/in /tarafından

Neuralink will begin “high-volume production” of its brain–computer interface implants and shift to a fully automated surgical procedure in 2026, according to a statement by Elon Musk.

Musk shared the update on the social media platform X on Wednesday. Neuralink did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

The Neuralink implant is designed to help people with neurological conditions such as spinal cord injuries by enabling direct communication between the brain and computers. The company’s first patient has demonstrated the ability to play video games, browse the internet, post on social media and control a laptop cursor using only their thoughts.

Neuralink began human trials of its brain implant technology in 2024, after resolving safety concerns raised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The regulator had initially rejected the company’s application in 2022, citing risks related to the device and surgical process.

In September, Neuralink said that 12 people worldwide with severe paralysis had received its implants and were using them to control both digital and physical tools through neural signals. The company has positioned the technology as a potential breakthrough for restoring independence to patients with limited mobility.

The startup has also attracted strong investor interest. In June, Neuralink raised $650 million in a funding round, providing capital to scale manufacturing, expand clinical trials and advance automation plans ahead of its targeted 2026 production push.

Neuralink Expands Human Trials, 12 People Now Using Brain Implants

/in /tarafından

Elon Musk’s Neuralink announced Tuesday that 12 people worldwide have received its brain implants, marking steady progress in its clinical rollout.

Key Details

  • Patient Numbers: Up from 7 in June, when partner Barrow Neurological Institute confirmed its involvement.

  • Usage Stats: Collectively, patients have logged 2,000 days of implant use and over 15,000 hours of activity, using the device to control both digital and physical tools through thought.

  • Trials Abroad: A new clinical study will launch in the UK, partnering with University College London Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals.

  • Funding: Neuralink raised $650 million in June to support expansion.

Background

  • Neuralink began human trials in 2024 after overcoming U.S. FDA safety objections that initially blocked approval in 2022.

  • The company’s implants are aimed at restoring movement and communication for people with severe paralysis, representing a major step in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology.

Outlook

  • The trials will help Neuralink test long-term safety, reliability, and potential new medical applications.

  • If successful, the technology could pave the way for broader use cases — from medical rehabilitation to advanced human-computer interaction.