Micro-nano electronic processing platform processes invasive brain-computer interface flexible electrodes.Chinese Academy of Sciences
In a major step for brain-computer interface research, Chinese scientists have allegedly shown that a person with complete paralysis can once again interact with the world using only brain signals.
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences revealed on December 17 that a man with a high-level spinal cord injury can control smart wheelchairs, robotic dogs, and digital devices through a fully implanted, wireless brain interface. The breakthrough marks the first time such technology has delivered stable, real-world control across multiple robotic systems.
The work was announced by the Centre for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, known as CEBSIT, and demonstrates a leap beyond laboratory tests. The patient is not only mobile but also employed, carrying out paid remote work without moving his body below the neck.
From paralysis to practical independence
The patient, identified as Mr Zhang, suffered a serious spinal cord injury in 2022 after a fall. The accident left him with high-level paraplegia, limiting voluntary movement to his head and neck. After more than a year of conventional rehabilitation had brought little progress, he joined the BCI clinical trial.
On June 20, surgeons implanted a wireless, invasive brain-computer interface, known as WRS01, at Huashan Hospital, an affiliated hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai. The system includes tiny front-end sensors inserted into the brain via flexible electrodes, along with a processor chip embedded in a small groove in the skull.
After surgery, Zhang wore a specially designed external hat that supplies wireless power and receives neural signals. Within two to three weeks of training, he could control a computer cursor and other digital devices with only his thoughts.
“It has been more than three years since the incident, and now I can finally work again,” he said in a video shared by the research team.
Working and moving through thought alone
Zhang’s ability to work remotely represents a historic milestone. Using a brain-controlled cursor, he verifies product dispensing from remote vending machines. This makes him the first known BCI trial participant to perform paid employment.
“I am currently an intern sorter. Every day, I have to use a computer to control the cursor and sort the products,” he said. “It’s a bit difficult, but for me, it’s a valuable opportunity.”
Beyond screens, the team extended brain control into the physical world. Zhang can now operate a smart wheelchair and command robotic dogs. The dogs can fetch takeaway food, while the wheelchair allows him to move outdoors and even navigate downstairs without assistance.
“What excites me the most right now is this connected sound – it seems to have reconnected what has been severed over the years,” he added, as reported by South China Morning Post.
China’s system-level advantage
The achievement mirrors the vision behind Elon Musk’s Telepathy concept at Neuralink, but with a crucial difference. While Neuralink’s trials are still focused on basic interactions like games and simple tasks, the Chinese system has already reached daily life use.
Turning thoughts into action requires more than electrodes in the brain. It depends on fast wireless communication, reliable AI decoding, and advanced robotics. China’s strengths in 5G and emerging 6G networks, semiconductor manufacturing, and intelligent robots provide a tightly connected ecosystem that supports this progress.
Pu Muming, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and academic director of CEBSIT, told Chinese state television that the study confirmed the long-term safety and stability of implanted electrodes and signal decoding. These are essential conditions for the medical use of invasive brain machine interfaces.
Faster signals and what comes next
One key technical advance is speed. Natural neural signal transmission in the human body takes about 200 milliseconds. By customizing the communication protocol, the team reduced the full delay from brain signal to robot action to under 100 milliseconds. This creates smoother and more natural control.
The researchers also observed that as Zhang practiced, his brain activity became more efficient. Control shifted from many neurons to a smaller, specialized group, reducing mental effort and making actions feel more intuitive.
Based on these results, the team has announced an upgraded system called WRS02 with 256 channels. Its first clinical trial is expected to begin soon, opening the door to even broader applications such as decoding speech directly from brain signals.
The Blueprint