Brain tech push gains pace as China draws up standards and firms challenge Neuralink

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has released draft guidelines to formulate or revise more than 40 brain-computer interface standards by 2028, aiming to accelerate commercialisation and encourage at least 100 companies to adopt them. By 2030, China plans to develop over 80 standards and participate in more than 10 international standards, positioning domestic firms like Neuracle, StairMed, NeuroXess, and BrainCo to compete with Elon Musk's Neuralink.

Brain tech push gains pace as China draws up standards and firms challenge Neuralink Dozens of guidelines are coming, covering medical, industrial and consumer users as emerging neural technology moves towards wider adoption China is drawing up an extensive set of standards for brain-computer interface technology, seeking to accelerate the commercialisation of a field in which Chinese start-ups are increasingly competing with Elon Musk’s Neuralink for global leadership. Under draft guidelines released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology MIIT , Beijing aims to formulate or revise more than 40 standards by 2028 and encourage at least 100 companies to adopt them. It also plans to lead or participate in the development of more than 10 international standards. By 2030, China aims to have developed more than 80 standards, creating a comprehensive framework for the domestic industry while increasing its influence over global rules for the emerging neural technology. Brain-computer interfaces allow the mind to communicate directly with external devices. Their potential uses range from restoring movement and speech in people with disabilities to controlling computers, industrial machinery and consumer electronics. 15th five-year plan https://www.scmp.com/article/3326468/chinas-15th-5-year-plan?module=inline&pgtype=article , as the country looks to nurture domestic competitors in a field where Neuralink is widely regarded as the commercial front runner. Domestically, China has leading neural-tech firms such as Neuracle, which has won approval for an implanted system that helps paralysed patients regain hand movement, as well as StairMed and NeuroXess, which focus on invasive implants and the interpretation of neural signals, and BrainCo, which develops non-invasive devices and brain-controlled prosthetics.