China Unveils Its Version Of Neuralink, An Implanted Brain-Computer Interface

“China’s version of Neuralink unveiled” – that’s how observers described Neucyber, an invasive implanted brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, independently developed by Chinese scientists.

The following report is by Global Times:

In its latest public appearance in April, through Neucyber, a monkey with its hands tied up can control a robotic arm with “just its thoughts” and successfully grasp a strawberry.

Recently, the Global Times visited the Chinese Institute for Brain Research in Beijing to witness the magical scene.

The wired Neucyber linking the monkey’s brain is a system composed of three core components — high-throughput flexible microelectrodes, two high-speed neural signal acquisition devices and a generative neural decoding algorithm. It is able to capture subtle changes in the monkey’s brain’s electrical signals, decode the brain’s intentions and achieve “thought” control of “actions.”

The Neucyber Array BMI System, a self-developed brain-machine interface BMI system from China, at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing, China on, April 25, 2024. Courtesy: Xinhua via Getty Images

The waving electrical signals on the screen are collected by the Neucyber, near the neurons of the monkey’s brain, Zhang Lei, director of Instrumentation Core from the institute told the Global Times, pointing to the robust signals.

The flexible electrode has been stably implanted in the monkey’s skull for nearly a year, and is still able to collect high-quality signals.

Following capturing signals, Neucyber will then decode the message with a decoding algorithm called “feedforward generative neural decoding algorithm,” allowing the monkey to predict the moving target and control the robotic arm, Zhang said.

The advanced algorithm is a step forward to achieve the goal of creating neurally controlled prosthetics that are more human-like, natural and flexible for patients in the future. The team revealed that researchers are about to publish academic papers on the advanced algorithm powered Neucyber.

Neuralink has already implanted its wireless brain chips in humans, while China has yet to begin human trials.

The Global Times learnt that Chinese Institute for Brain Research is working on researching altering the wired BCI system into a fully implanted wireless invasive device, striving to start human trials next year…