In the rapidly evolving field of brain-computer interfaces (BCI), Beijing-backed startup NeuCyber Neurotech has openly acknowledged that its most advanced product currently trails Elon Musk’s Neuralink by approximately three years. This candid admission comes as China intensifies efforts to broaden clinical trials and solidify its position in the global BCI arena. The competition between these two pioneering entities highlights the accelerating pace of innovation in neurotechnology, with China striving to catch up to the United States’ early lead.
Just last week, China made a historic breakthrough by becoming the first country worldwide to grant regulatory approval for the commercial use of an invasive BCI medical device. This milestone marks China as only the second nation, after the U.S., to initiate human trials involving brain-computer interfaces. NeuCyber’s flagship product, the Beinao-2, represents a significant technological leap as an invasive BCI featuring flexible electrodes that are fully implanted into the brain. Currently, this device is undergoing extensive animal testing as part of the development process.
Despite these advancements, NeuCyber’s rotating CEO, Li Yuan, highlighted that Neuralink maintains a technical edge, particularly due to its surgical robot capable of implanting hundreds of electrodes into the brain within minutes. Neuralink’s N1 chip has already been tested on over 20 patients, giving it a substantial head start. In contrast, NeuCyber has just completed the initial development phase of Beinao-2 and must still navigate animal testing, early feasibility clinical trials, and eventually large-scale human trials, which could take an additional two years before full clinical validation.
China’s commitment to BCIs is further underscored by its recent five-year plan, which elevates this technology to a core strategic industry alongside other cutting-edge fields such as quantum computing, embodied artificial intelligence, and nuclear fusion. The BCI device recently approved by Chinese regulators is a wireless, coin-sized implant developed by Shanghai-based Neuracle. This device, which rests on the brain’s outer membrane, is designed to control a robotic glove and is primarily intended to assist patients suffering from spinal cord injuries.
NeuCyber has already made progress with its earlier model, Beinao-1, a semi-invasive BCI that uses a mesh embedded with electrodes placed on the brain’s surface. To date, seven patients have received implants of Beinao-1, including individuals who became quadriplegic due to car accidents. These patients have reported notable improvements, such as regaining some hand motor functions and the ability to control computer cursors remotely after six months of use. The company aims to expand clinical trials of Beinao-1 to 50 patients within the year, a critical step toward obtaining regulatory approval for commercial distribution.
This expansion could position Beinao-1 as the brain chip with the highest number of human participants globally, reflecting China’s determination to close the gap with international leaders in BCI technology. In comparison, Neuralink has enrolled 21 participants in its human clinical trials worldwide, statements made earlier this year. Li Yuan projects that NeuCyber’s BCI products might become widely available in the domestic market within two to three years, contingent upon receiving approvals from China’s health authorities, medical insurance bodies, and product regulators.
Looking ahead, NeuCyber plans to focus on restoring motor functions for spinal cord injury patients as it moves toward large-scale clinical trials and eventual commercialization. The startup has already secured approximately 200 million yuan (around $29 million) in funding from the Beijing municipal government, underscoring strong institutional support for its ambitious goals. As China accelerates its neurotechnology initiatives, the race between NeuCyber and Neuralink will remain a closely watched indicator of progress in this transformative field.
