A tetraplegic patient in China recently demonstrated unprecedented control of assistive devices through neural signals, steering a smart wheelchair and directing a robotic dog to retrieve food deliveries in real-world scenarios. This milestone emerged from clinical trials conducted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), marking a transformative leap in neurotechnology applications.
The patient, who sustained a spinal-cord injury in 2022, received an invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) system developed by CAS's Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology in June 2025. Within weeks of training, he achieved stable three-dimensional control of external devices – a significant advancement beyond conventional screen-based cursor manipulation.
Researchers utilized a high-throughput wireless BCI system with two innovative decoding strategies, improving command accuracy by over 15% while reducing system latency to under 100 milliseconds. This engineering feat enables near-instantaneous device response, faster than typical human reflex times, creating what participants describe as 'natural' limb-like control.
The breakthrough signals China's growing leadership in transitioning BCI technology from laboratory environments to practical rehabilitation solutions. Unlike previous systems focused on basic interaction restoration, this trial emphasizes comprehensive life-enabling applications – from autonomous mobility to object manipulation in uncontrolled environments.
While global teams have demonstrated similar technologies in controlled settings, CAS's achievement in maintaining reliability during complex real-world tasks positions China at the forefront of next-generation neuroprosthetics research. The development holds particular significance for Asia's rapidly aging populations and could reshape regional healthcare strategies for spinal injury treatment.
