Web desk: Brain computer interface technology is moving from research labs into daily life. For example, patients now control computers, robotic arms, and robot dogs using their thoughts.
On January 1, 2026, China introduced its first national standard for brain computer interface medical devices. This milestone therefore advances the development of the technology.
The new standard defines brain computer interface medical devices. Additionally, it explains technical methods and creates clear terms for signals such as electroencephalograms. It also specifies how clinicians and engineers should collect, process, encode, decode, and use signals in medical care.
These standards matter because the field combines neuroscience, clinical medicine, and computer science. In contrast, experts often use the same terms differently across disciplines, which slowed progress.
Yuan Peng, deputy director general of the medical device registration department at the National Medical Products Administration, said that China is making breakthroughs in brain science and neural decoding. He added that brain computer interface devices are now entering a key stage of industrial growth and clinical use. Thus, unified standards create a common technical language and support faster development.
Brain computer interface medical devices help patients regain lost physical functions. In fact, they may also treat neurological conditions such as epilepsy and Alzheimer disease. Consequently, this technology could transform health care.
Brain computer interface devices capture electrical signals directly from the brain. These signals represent a patient’s intended movements. Next, algorithms decode the signals and send instructions to external devices such as robotic arms or rehabilitation tools. As a result, patients can perform movements even when their muscles are weak or paralyzed. This process reinforces brain pathways and promotes physical recovery over time. In addition, real-time feedback allows patients to adjust movements and regain more precise control.
At Beijing Tiantan Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University, volunteer Liao used a wireless brain computer interface cap during rehabilitation. As he raised his left arm, the cap sent electrical signals from his brain to an external decoding device in real time. This system supported his training.
Three years earlier, Liao suffered a cerebral haemorrhage that partially paralyzed his left side. After more than a year of traditional rehabilitation with limited improvement, he underwent surgery in May 2025. Then, doctors implanted a thin film electrode under his skull. With continued rehabilitation, he regained significant movement.
Cao Yong, executive deputy director of the neurosurgery centre at Beijing Tiantan Hospital, described the system’s operation. When a patient moves a limb, the system captures brain signals. Next, algorithms decode the signals and drive external devices to assist rehabilitation exercises.
The hospital launched a brain computer interface evaluation clinic to assess patients for semi-invasive surgery. So far, more than 3000 patients have registered. Cao said the technology remains in clinical trials, and doctors carefully select participants. He hopes that continued progress will help more patients.
In June 2025, a team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Huashan Hospital, affiliated with Fudan University, implanted a brain computer interface device in a patient with quadriplegia. As a result, the patient controlled a computer game using thoughts.
Six months later, another patient with severe spinal cord injury used the system to manage an unmanned retail cabinet through a video link. However, many patients want more than virtual control. Instead, they want direct interaction with physical devices.
To meet this demand, researchers expanded the system to control physical devices. Therefore, patients with implanted systems now operate electric wheelchairs and command robot dogs to retrieve delivered items using their thoughts.
One patient compared the experience to playing a video game. He said, “You simply think about where you want to go, and the movement happens naturally.”
Zhao explained that the team uses general-purpose interfaces and common devices such as household robotic arms and robot dogs. In addition, they aim to make brain computer interface systems as easy to use as Bluetooth or a computer mouse. As a result, a single hub now connects and controls multiple devices.
He added that the success of brain computer interface technology depends not only on neural interfaces but also on intelligent external devices. Finally, the growing availability of electric wheelchairs, robot dogs, and humanoid robots helps turn thought-based control into real improvements in patients’ quality of life.
