China achieves breakthrough in invasive brain‑computer interface clinical trials
On December 17, 2025, the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligent Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences announced new progress in its second clinical trial of invasive brain‑computer interface technology. The trial, conducted in cooperation with domestic research institutions and medical units, marks a major shift from two‑dimensional screen control to three‑dimensional physical world interaction.
The patient in this trial is a middle‑aged man who became quadriplegic after a spinal cord injury in 2022. Following more than a year of rehabilitation without improvement, he received a brain‑computer interface implant in June 2025. After two to three weeks of training, he was able to control electronic devices such as computer cursors and tablets purely through thought.
To further enhance interaction with the environment, the research team introduced new technologies that expanded the application scenarios from 2D screens to 3D physical spaces. The system now allows users to operate mobile phones and computers at speeds close to those of able‑bodied individuals, and it has demonstrated initial success in controlling embodied intelligent robots.
This achievement highlights China's rapid progress in brain‑computer interface research, positioning it as a global leader in the field. The ability to move beyond screen‑based control into real‑world interaction opens the door to practical applications in rehabilitation, assistive robotics, and potentially broader human‑machine collaboration.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), founded in 1949 and headquartered in Beijing, is the country's leading scientific research institution. It oversees numerous specialized centers and institutes across disciplines ranging from physics and chemistry to life sciences and engineering. CAS has played a pivotal role in advancing China's position in global science and technology, with its Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligent Technology focusing on cutting‑edge neuroscience and AI integration. The organization's work in brain‑computer interfaces reflects its mission to combine fundamental research with real‑world applications that can improve human health and technological innovation.
