China Plans Broader Push to Develop Tech Like Elon Musk’s Neuralink
- tech360.tv
- Jul 2, 2024
- 2 min read
China announces plans to develop brain-computer interface technology. Committee to be established to create standards for brain information encoding and decoding, data communication, and data visualisation. China aims to compete with Western companies like Neuralink in the field of brain-computer interfaces.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has announced a plan to bring together experts from various industries, including businesses, research institutes, and universities, to work on developing standards for brain information encoding and decoding, data communication, and data visualisation.
Brain-computer interfaces use signals from the brain to control external devices like robotic limbs. One of the best-known startups in this subject is Neuralink Corp, which Elon Musk co-founded in 2016. Neuralink is currently developing an implanted device and is actively seeking quadriplegic individuals for a clinical trial.
China's declaration demonstrates its ambition to speed up the development of similar technologies to compete with Western rivals such as Neuralink. While China has mostly relied on university research in this field, President Xi Jinping has advocated for increasing indigenous innovation to lessen reliance on foreign countries for strategic technology. This move is consistent with China's attempts to strengthen its semiconductor industry, as the United States considers imposing additional limitations on China's access to chip technology.
Previously, China's interest in brain-computer interfaces was largely limited to university-affiliated research teams. However, in March, Tsinghua University made news when a paraplegic patient regained some motion after receiving an implant known as Neural Electronic Opportunity. In February, China released an ethics guide for brain-computer interface research, underscoring its commitment to responsible growth.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is currently soliciting public feedback on the issue, with replies due by July 30.
China announces plans to develop brain-computer interface technology
Committee to be established to create standards for brain information encoding and decoding, data communication, and data visualisation
China aims to compete with Western companies like Neuralink in the field of brain-computer interfaces
Source: YAHOO
