China plans standardized brain-computer tech similar to Elon Musk’s Neuralink

Brain-computer interface
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

As Elon Musk’s Neuralink seeks people with quadriplegia for a clinical trial of its brain-computer implant, China is working to develop its own similar technology. Bloomberg reports that the country is starting by putting together a committee that will draft standards and guidelines for using such brain-computer interfaces.

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently issued a plan to begin the work. The committee has invited industrial and technical experts from companies, research institutes, universities, and other relevant industries to provide comments to guide the development of these standards.

Elon Musk’s Neuralink has already begun clinical trials of its version of the technology. As early as 2022, New York-based Synchron was testing similar technology that allowed a patient to control his iPad using thoughts, even sending text messages just by thinking about it.

China’s new committee hopes to “listen to opinions from all walks of life.” It’s inviting interested parties to offer feedback to the committee, with a deadline of July 30, 2024.

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Jeff Butts
Contributing Writer

Jeff Butts has been covering tech news for more than a decade, and his IT experience predates the internet. Yes, he remembers when 9600 baud was “fast.” He especially enjoys covering DIY and Maker topics, along with anything on the bleeding edge of technology.