China races to develop brain-computer interfaces that can be inserted in 10 minutes

Chinese start-ups and researchers are moving quickly to develop brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that can be inserted via blood vessels in just a few minutes, as China aims to create global competitors to Elon Musk's Neuralink. Unlike traditional BCIs that require brain surgery, these new devices can be inserted through neck veins, similar to a stent.

StairMed Technology, a Shanghai-based firm, is leading the charge, having raised over $163 million in funding to advance its research. The firm partnered with the Chinese Academy of Sciences to develop a minimally invasive technique involving vascular insertion of the device into a specific region of the brain. While the technique has only been tested on sheep so far, StairMed aims to begin human trials soon.

The global BCI implant market is expected to reach $80 billion in the United States by 2035. China has set a goal to produce "two or three" global players in the sector by 2030. Surgeons experienced in this procedure can position the device in as little as 10 minutes, reducing the risks associated with invasive brain surgery. China's Xuanwu Hospital is also exploring this approach, with its chief physician reporting positive early results from a human clinical study.

In December, StairMed unveiled its vascular BCI program, which pairs with a research team at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Successful trials have enabled paraplegic patients to control digital technology using their thoughts alone, including earning a monthly income through e-commerce platforms.