by FANG Zhuoran

China's drive to advance brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) is gaining momentum as regulators refine policies and local governments unveil development plans, while experts say that challenges remain before achieving major breakthroughs and widespread application.

Experts at the Zhangjiang Pharma Valley International Innovation Conference on August 29 said "a golden window of opportunity for BCI development has arrived" with "regulatory policies being refined, entry standards better defined, and the investment environment steadily improving."

BCI connects human consciousness and brain activity with computers or other devices by capturing neural signals, enabling information exchange and control between humans and machines. 

In early August, seven government ministries released a roadmap targeting breakthroughs in key technologies by 2027 and a secure, globally competitive industry by 2030. Beijing and Shanghai have also issued plans covering regulatory guidance, clinical trials, and industrial cluster development through 2030.

China's BCI industry is taking shape, particularly in healthcare applications for epilepsy, depression, and spinal injuries. Consumer prototypes, including smart headbands, mattresses, and exoskeletons, are under development, with some entering production.

At the same time experts at the conference cautioned that limited understanding of the brain and technical, ethical, and regulatory challenges could slow the widespread of adoption.

"For neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, depression, and Parkinson's, as well as normal motor and language functions, we only grasp a small portion of the brain's internal activity," XU Jiamin of East China Normal University said, noting limited understanding of brain mechanisms constrains progress.

CAO Peng, founder of Hangzhou Jialiang Medical Technology, echoed the view, stressing that a solid research foundation is essential for efficient application-driven development.

The technical challenges lie in both non-invasive BCIs and invasive BCIs. Non-invasive BCIs, which capture signals via electrodes on the scalp, face limitations in sensor efficiency and user comfort. According to JIN Jing, vice-dean at East China University of Science and Technology, fitting an EEG cap takes 5 to 10 minutes and requires conductive gel, making it uncomfortable for patients.

Invasive BCIs, which involve implanting electrodes, encounter hurdles in decoding neural activity and safely delivering stimuli. Cao Peng said companies like Shanghai BrainTiger are exploring high-density electrodes for neural decoding, but long-term safety, signal stability, and large-scale trials remain challenges. For neuromodulation, existing deep brain stimulators treat Parkinson's symptoms with one-way stimulation, while BCI-based interactive systems, which can deliver precision therapy, are facing significant ethical and regulatory hurdles.

Experts advocate starting with non-invasive technologies, which are more publicly acceptable. "Implanting chips in the skull is hard to accept, whereas cortical stimulation is more feasible," said LIU Hongjun, chairman and general manager of Microneedle.