The semi-invasive brain-computer interface system NEO, developed by BrrainCo and Tsinghua University, has been approved for market in China and enabled a 36-year-old patient with high-level spinal cord injury to grasp and write after implantation. As of March 2026, 36 clinical surgeries have been performed. This represents a major breakthrough in neural engineering and medical rehabilitation, offering a practical solution for quadriplegic patients to regain motor functions. It also demonstrates China's growing capability in brain-computer interface technology, potentially reshaping the global competitive landscape. The NEO system is semi-invasive: a coin-sized device is implanted under the dura mater without directly contacting brain tissue, capturing signals wirelessly. It uses near-field wireless power and communication, so the implanted unit has no internal battery and can last a lifetime.
Background
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) enable direct communication between the brain and external devices. Invasive BCIs require open-skull surgery and carry higher risks, while non-invasive ones have lower signal fidelity. Semi-invasive BCIs like NEO strike a balance by placing electrodes on the dura mater, offering good signal quality with reduced surgical risk. The system decodes motor intentions from brain signals and controls an external pneumatic glove to restore hand movement.