Foreword:

The core of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) is to establish a direct information channel between the brain and external devices. This concept, proposed in 1973, has now evolved into a competitive landscape dominated by China and the United States, with global follow-up.

Neuralink Sprints Toward Mass Production

Recently, Elon Musk’s announcement on social media accelerated the global tech community: [Neuralink will launch large-scale production of brain-computer interface devices in 2026, transitioning to fully automated surgical procedures where electrode threads can directly penetrate the dura mater without resection.]

As a global leader in invasive brain-computer interfaces, Neuralink’s 2026 mass production plan is no coincidence. Cross-disciplinary technological integration is key to breaking through bottlenecks.

Effective decoding of high-dimensional neural signals relies on high-performance machine learning and deep learning models.

Neuralink employs advanced AI models for real-time analysis of neural electrical activity, transforming noisy and difficult-to-interpret signals into precise control commands.

This essentially resolves the core challenge of translating neural potentials into practical behaviors.

Recent advances in microelectronics design, heterogeneous integration, and low-power processes have made it possible to achieve high-bandwidth chips in compact form factors.

Its self-developed surgical robot can implant flexible electrode arrays with millimeter-level precision, significantly reducing human error and tissue damage. This automated process is essential for large-scale applications.

In January 2024, the first human implantation was completed. By September 2025, 12 patients with severe paralysis worldwide had received the device, accumulating over 15,000 hours of use with a 98% device stability rate.

Its 2026 technological breakthrough is revolutionary. The fully automated R1 surgical robot reduces the time for implanting a single electrode from 17 seconds to 1.5 seconds, with surgical incisions of just 0.8 millimeters. The original 6-hour procedure is now shortened to 20 minutes.

The electrode threads feature a platinum-iridium alloy and polyimide flexible substrate design, enabling rigid penetration of the dura mater while flexibly conforming to brain tissue. This not only reduces infection risks but also significantly extends the device’s in vivo lifespan.

The next-generation device will increase the number of electrodes from 1,024 to 3,000, paving the way for advanced applications such as visual restoration and silent speech decoding.

A grander technological roadmap has already been unveiled: speech cortex implantation to decode [intentional speech] will begin in the fourth quarter of 2025;

multi-device implantation with over 10,000 electrodes will be achieved by 2027; by 2028, over 25,000 electrodes will target deep brain regions for treating mental disorders, with the ultimate goal of building a [whole-brain interface] for seamless integration between the human brain and AI.

As of 2025, Neuralink’s valuation has reached $12 billion, with $650 million raised in financing that year. Its development pace and capital enthusiasm lead globally.

Technological Breakthroughs in China Leveraging Asymmetric Advantages

Facing Neuralink’s lead, China has not fallen into follow-the-leader R&D but instead achieved key breakthroughs by leveraging its unique [asymmetric advantages].

In June 2025, the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, in collaboration with Huashan Hospital, completed China’s first invasive brain-computer interface human trial, marking China as the second country globally to master this technology.

Technologically, China presents a [multi-pronged] approach. In the invasive field, mainstream products from Brain Tiger Technology and Stair Medical have reached 256-channel levels. While there is a 2-3 year gap compared to Neuralink’s 1,024 channels, technological iteration speeds have significantly increased.

As the most commercially viable route at present, the semi-invasive [Bei Nao No.1] has achieved over 100-channel wireless fully implanted systems, successfully implanted in five patients with spinal cord injuries. The sixth surgery is imminent, with the higher-performance [Bei Nao No.2] planned for clinical entry in 2026.

In the non-invasive field, Xiangyu Medical has obtained two Class II medical device registrations for EEG acquisition devices, planning to launch 20-30 smart rehabilitation devices by 2025, covering scenarios such as sleep disorders and stroke rehabilitation.

Accelerated Formation of Industrial Ecosystems

2025 has become a [policy-driven year] for China’s brain-computer interface sector, with a series of intensive policy measures establishing its strategic position.

In July, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and six other departments jointly issued the Implementation Opinions on Promoting Innovative Development of the Brain-Computer Interface Industry. This is the first document at the ministerial level to systematically plan industrial development, expanding management from single research or health departments to macroeconomic regulators, marking the establishment of the industry’s [regular army] status.

Three months later, the Communist Party of China Central Committee’s Proposals for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development officially listed brain-computer interfaces as one of the six future industrial directions, upgrading it from a [cutting-edge technology] to a [strategic piece] tied to the country’s long-term competitiveness.

This top-level design quickly trickled down to local levels, with provinces and cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Sichuan, and Shandong responding enthusiastically. Shanghai’s actions have been the most concrete.

The Shanghai Action Plan for Cultivating the Future Brain-Computer Interface Industry (2025-2030) clearly states: by 2027, promote the completion of clinical trials for over five invasive and semi-invasive products; by 2030, achieve full clinical application.

Under these favorable policy winds, capital markets have shifted from cautious observation to proactive layout (translated as 'proactive deployment'), with financing structures showing two significant trends.

Financing rounds have shifted significantly earlier, with angel to Series A funding events accounting for over 75%, indicating capital’s willingness to accompany companies through long R&D cycles.

For example, Qianjue Technology, focused on foundational technologies, completed multiple funding rounds in the first half of the year, reflecting sustained market optimism toward startups building core algorithm and chip barriers.

Investment directions now focus on [tough challenges] areas. Unlike earlier preferences for low-barrier fields like non-invasive technologies, capital in 2025 has shifted toward high-barrier, high-clinical-value directions such as invasive and semi-invasive technologies.

In addition to Stair Medical’s $350 million Series B funding, Zhiran Medical also completed over $300 million in Series A funding. Strong Brain Technology, Pengnao Technology, and other enterprises have received substantial financial support, covering all technological routes and cycles.

Medical Field Leads the Way, Consumer Market Awaits Breakthrough

In 2025, the commercialization landscape of brain-computer interfaces shows a clear path of medical leadership followed by consumer adoption. The medical and health sector dominates with 56% market share, while the consumer market awaits its tipping point.

According to Forward Industry Research Institute data, the global potential market for brain-computer interfaces in serious medical applications reaches $15-85 billion. China’s market size was approximately $230 million in 2024, expected to surpass $1 billion by 2029 and grow into a $10 billion+ market by 2040.

Motor function reconstruction represents the most definitive current clinical value. Data from the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry shows that 90% of newly registered brain-computer interface clinical studies in 2025 are interventional, with 60% focusing on post-stroke motor rehabilitation.

The high-throughput wireless system developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences team reduces end-to-end latency for brain-controlled smart wheelchairs to under 100 milliseconds, below the natural neural transmission delay in humans.

Beyond spinal cord injury and stroke rehabilitation, explorations into additional medical scenarios are advancing. Brain Tiger Technology enabled an epilepsy patient to brain-control play Black Myth: Wukong, validating potential for epilepsy treatment.

Sanbo Brain Hospital has deployed funds in the visual reconstruction field, targeting Neuralink’s [blind sight] project.

Policy breakthroughs have further accelerated medical commercialization. The National Healthcare Security Administration has issued documents to establish separate pricing for new brain-computer interface technologies, essentially paving the service fee path for clinical applications.

CITIC Construction Investment Research predicts that domestic brain-computer interface companies will gradually achieve commercial applications by 2026, with motion decoding products leading in paralysis (translated as 'paralysis') and ALS scenarios, while language decoding technologies will bring breakthrough therapies for aphasia patients.

Compared to the rapid medical adoption, consumer-grade brain-computer interfaces remain in the [interesting but non-essential] stage.

Currently, non-invasive products dominate 82% of the global market share, with their safety and accessibility enabling initial breakthroughs in education, health management, and other fields.

Strong Brain Technology’s dry electrode sensors eliminate the need for conductive gel, finding applications in school focus training. Some companies have launched fatigue monitoring and meditation aid products, beginning to enter consumer scenarios.

Internationally, Synchron has partnered with Apple to explore native integration of brain-computer interfaces with consumer electronics, offering new imaginative spaces for the industry.

Domestic listed companies such as Chengyi Tong, Aipeng Medical, and Chuangxin Medical are also accelerating their layout (translated as 'deployments'), potentially driving product adoption through consumer electronics ecosystems.

The Ultimate Stage: A New Era of Human-Machine Symbiosis

In the short term, 2026-2030 will mark the clinical scaling period for brain-computer interfaces.

Neuralink’s automated surgery and mass production capabilities will significantly reduce costs and risks for invasive products, benefiting more patients with severe disabilities.

Chinese companies will achieve commercial breakthroughs in motor rehabilitation, visual reconstruction, and other fields, forming differentiated advantages through their vast clinical market.

The global market size is projected to soar to $6.2 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.5%, according to the World Economic Forum.

In the medium term, brain-computer interfaces will evolve from medical tools to enhancement tools.

As technologies mature and costs decline, application scenarios will expand into consumer electronics, industrial manufacturing, aerospace, and other fields.

In the long term, the deep integration of brain-computer interfaces and AI may usher in a new era of [human-machine symbiosis].

Musk predicts that consciousness digitization and uploading to humanoid robots will be achieved within 20 years. While this radical vision faces numerous skepticisms,

the underlying trend warrants attention.

Epilogue:

As a [high-speed channel between biological brains and AI], brain-computer interfaces will complement human creativity and decision-making with AI’s computational and execution capabilities, unleashing unprecedented productivity.

Partial sources referenced: TMTPost: Brain-Computer Interfaces in 2025: Policy Direction, Technological Breakthroughs, Capital Influx, Medical Adoption Leads; Sound Vision: Brain-Computer Interfaces to [Mass-Produce] in 2026, Ushering in an Era of Mind-Controlled Objects; Top Tech: Musk Sets Flag! Neuralink Plans 2026 Mass Production of Brain-Computer Chips, Focusing on Automated Implantation Surgery