by Liu Qiyu

BEIJING, Apr. 18 (China Economic Net) - China’s brain-computer interface (BCI) industry is moving into a new stage of development, as policymakers, hospitals, and companies seek to translate years of research into clinical applications.

As part of the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum series, the National Conference on Clinical Applications and Translation of Brain-Computer Interfaces opened in Beijing on April 11, bringing together representatives from around 300 medical institutions, research institutes, universities, and companies. The event was jointly organized by leading institutions, including Beijing Tiantan Hospital and several national-level research centers in neurology.

At the conference, multiple initiatives were unveiled, including the launch of multi-center clinical trials for China’s domestically developed implanted BCI system, the “NeuCyber Matrix BMI System (Beinao-1),” as well as plans to build industrial clusters, funding mechanisms, and clinical data platforms. The efforts reflect growing policy support, with the Chinese government officially designating BCIs as a strategic “future industry” last July.

Amid this momentum, participants across academia and industry pointed to a common challenge: how to move from technological exploration to scalable, real-world use.

Clinical validation as the central benchmark

For many industry participants, the defining factor for the next stage is not the pace of innovation, but the ability to demonstrate consistent clinical value.

“Only when a technology proves effective in specific diseases can it become a real industry,” said Hao Hongwei, deputy director of the National Engineering Research Center of Neuromodulation.

He emphasized that clinical demand remains the primary driver. “Policy and capital can support the process, but if there is no real clinical need, the technology cannot sustain itself,” he said.

In China alone, there are millions of patients with Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injuries, and tens of millions affected by stroke, highlighting the scale of potential demand for neurotechnology-based interventions.

Hao, who is also the general manager of PINS Medical, noted that BCI technologies are gradually being integrated into existing medical pathways, where patients typically move from medication and rehabilitation to non-invasive treatments, and eventually to surgical options when necessary.

“It’s a step-by-step process,” he said. “Different approaches correspond to different stages of treatment.”

Different paths toward application

Interviews with companies at the conference suggest that the BCI industry is progressing along different development paths, each at a different stage of maturity.

Some companies focusing on brain function detection and monitoring said their products have already been deployed in hospitals and, in some cases, included in public health insurance systems.

“These technologies are now used to detect conditions such as anxiety or depression and to track rehabilitation progress,” said Yang Jing, a Beijing-based sales representative at neurotechnology firm Yiruide. “We can quantify recovery in a way that was previously difficult to observe.”

He added that certain diagnostic services have already been priced within local insurance frameworks, making them more accessible in routine clinical settings.

Others are advancing non-invasive approaches, using external stimulation methods such as magnetic or ultrasound signals to modulate brain activity. These technologies are seen as having broader potential applications due to their lower risk profiles.

“Invasive approaches are not suitable for everyone,” said Shang Honglei, founder of BZ-Visual. “Non-invasive methods can be applied to a wider range of patients, including those with neurological and psychiatric conditions.”

At the same time, companies working on implanted devices acknowledged that invasive BCI remains in an earlier stage of clinical development, with ongoing efforts focused on trials and regulatory approval.

“The key challenge is still clinical validation,” said Li Junshi, CTO of Acimicro Biotech, a company developing implantable BCI electrodes and systems. “We need more data, and we need to demonstrate clear outcomes in real patients.”

Some developers noted that their systems are currently installed in a limited number of hospitals following regulatory approval, reflecting early-stage but tangible clinical adoption.

Bridging research and real-world use

Beyond technical differences, several participants highlighted a broader shift in how the industry is approaching development.

“BCI should not start from technology and then look for applications,” Li said. “It has to start from clinical problems and then develop solutions.”

This perspective reflects a growing emphasis on targeting specific medical conditions, such as paralysis or disorders of consciousness, where unmet needs are more clearly defined.

Echoing this, Austrian neuroscientist Gerwin Schalk pointed out, “We need to move toward a more cohesive system, with standardization, training, and solutions that can actually be used in practice.”

He added that the field should not focus solely on technical breakthroughs. “It’s not helpful to build something that nobody can use,” he said. “We need solutions that are both clinically and commercially viable.”

At the same time, some participants cautioned against overestimating short-term expectations.

“BCI is about improving function, not transforming patients overnight,” Hao said. “We need to move forward step by step, with realistic goals.”

A gradual transition

Taken together, developments in China’s BCI sector suggest that the industry is entering a phase of gradual, differentiated progress.

Some applications are already moving into routine clinical use, while others remain in earlier stages of validation and development. Across these efforts, the ability to demonstrate measurable clinical outcomes is emerging as the key factor shaping future growth.

With continued policy support and expanding clinical participation, industry participants expect further progress in the coming years, as validation data accumulates and regulatory pathways become clearer—driven less by isolated breakthroughs and more by steady advances in real-world application.