NeuroXess was founded in 2021 and has already successfully conducted human trials of its devices. The company recently demonstrated how a paralyzed patient controlled a computer cursor using an implant. Moreover, he began performing tasks just five days after surgery.
The industry's growth is being fueled by a government strategy aimed at accelerating the development of BCIs. The plan adopted in China calls for resource coordination and streamlining regulatory procedures and funding. The country already has approximately ten invasive clinical programs underway, and by 2030, authorities expect to create two to three world-class companies in this field, and NeuroXess could be one of them.
NeuroXess technology is invasive, but its design differs from the Neuralink device. The Chinese implant is a polyimide and metal mesh placed on the brain's surface without penetrating tissue. This avoids potential scarring, which could degrade signal quality.
By comparison, Neuralink uses an implant with thin electrode threads inserted directly into the brain to record neural activity. The company claims to use ultra-thin electrodes to minimize risks, but the long-term implications of this approach are still under debate.
During testing, Neuralink achieved a data transfer rate of 10 bits per second, while NeuroXess's technology demonstrated 5.2 bits per second. Experts note that both companies are rapidly expanding their systems' capabilities.
Experts emphasize that advances in invasive interfaces are also driving the development of non-invasive solutions. China hopes to initiate a kind of "closed loop"—more data and lower costs should lead to increased user numbers and further accelerated research, strengthening the country's position in the global BCI race.
