China Approves the First Brain Chips for Sale—and Has a Plan to Dominate the Industry | WIREDSkip to main contentMenuSECURITYPOLITICSTHE BIG STORYBUSINESSSCIENCECULTUREREVIEWSMenuAccountAccountNewslettersSecurityPoliticsThe Big StoryBusinessScienceCultureReviewsChevronMoreExpandThe Big InterviewMagazineEventsWIRED InsiderWIRED ConsultingNewslettersPodcastsVideoLivestreamsMerchSearchSearchJorge GarayScienceMar 20, 2026 7:44 AMChina Approves the First Brain Chips for Sale—and Has a Plan to Dominate the IndustryWhile the United States and Europe are moving cautiously forward with clinical trials, China is racing toward the commercialization of brain implants.cbaloga/GETTY IMAGESCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyChina has made history by becoming the first nation to approve a commercially available brain chip to treat a disability. NEO, the implant developed by Neuracle Medical Technology, translates the thoughts of a person with paralysis into movements of an assistive robotic hand.After 18 months of testing that proved its safety, China's National Medical Products Administration authorized the implant for people aged 19 to 60 with paralysis caused by neck or spinal cord injuries that prevent them from moving their limbs.According to Nature, the implant embedded in the skull is about the size of a coin. Eight electrodes protrude from the chip and are placed on the brain, in the area that processes body movement. When the user imagines moving their hand, the chip sends a signal to a computer, which then translates it into actions performed by a prosthesis.In practice, Neo allows thought to activate a mechanical glove capable of performing basic tasks: picking up objects, manipulating utensils, or moving hygiene items. Sources consulted by the magazine indicate that 32 people have already tested the device without reporting any adverse side effects.Although several companies are developing brain implants and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), none have yet received authorization to market their innovations as treatments. Even advanced projects, such as Neuralink, have faced side effects that have stalled any regulatory approval.The Plan to Dominate the Brain Implant IndustryThis development comes just months after China issued a policy document that outlines the country's strategy to create a globally competitive BCI industry within five years. The plan outlines 17 steps to lead the research, development, and application of these technologies."The Chinese government has always supported disruptive technologies. I think from the government's point of view, this policy means that BCI technology has already moved from the concept level to the product level," Phoenix Peng, cofounder NeuroXess and Gestala, both BCI companies, told WIRED earlier this year.The policy document promotes the mass production of non-invasive, non-implantable devices in various forms: forehead-mounted, head-mounted, and ear-mounted, such as hearing aids, visors, and glasses. It also proposes testing these technologies in high-risk sectors, such as hazardous materials handling, nuclear energy, mining, and electricity generation.For now, brain implants have a clear objective: to restore autonomy to people with disabilities. Experimental devices exist that allow users to communicate with “thoughts ,” operate computers without moving a muscle, and even technologies that are beginning to restore vision. With the commercial approval of Neo, the industry enters a new phase.This story originally appeared on WIRED en Español and has been translated from Spanish.CommentsBack to topTriangleYou Might Also LikeIn your inbox: Upgrade your life with WIRED-tested gearNvidia plans to launch an open-source AI agent platformBig Story: He built the Epstein database—it consumed his lifeShould you leave your phone charging overnight?Watch: How right wing influencers infiltrated the governmentJorge Garay is a contributor to WIRED en Español. He specializes in technology, cybersecurity, and the legislative impact of social media. He has worked in digital media for 10 years. He is passionate about geek culture, astronomy, and the development of new communication technologies. ... Read MoreContributorTopicsbrainsbrain-computer interfacesBrains and BehaviorNeuroscienceNeuralinkChinaRead MoreJapan Approves the World’s First Treatment Made With Reprogrammed Human CellsResearchers in Japan pioneered reprogrammed cells 20 years ago. Now the country has given the first-ever authorizations to manufacture and sell medical products based on the technology.Ritsuko KawaiHow Mexico's ‘CJNG’ Drug Cartel Embraced AI, Drones, and Social MediaDrug kingpin Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes may be dead, but the Jalisco cartel he ran for years will likely outlive him—thanks, in part, to the criminal group’s embrace of technology.Fernanda GonzálezArea Man Accidentally Hacks 6,700 Camera-Enabled Robot VacuumsPlus: The top US cyber agency falls into shambles, AI models develop an upsetting penchant for nuclear weapons, and more.Andy GreenbergWhat It’s Like to Have a Brain Implant for 5 YearsNo one has had a Synchron brain-computer interface longer than Rodney Gorham. He’s still finding new ways to use it.Emily MullinThe Shingles Virus May Be Aging You More QuicklyEvidence suggests reactivations of the varicella-zoster virus may accelerate aging and raise dementia risk. Now scientists want to know if vaccines and antivirals could help protect the brain.David CoxTrump Moves to Ban Anthropic From the US GovernmentPresident Donald Trump’s sudden order comes after the Defense Department pressured Anthropic to drop restrictions on how its AI can be used by the military.Will KnightGovernment Docs Reveal New Details About Tesla and Waymo Robotaxis’ Human BabysittersSelf-driving-vehicle companies are revealing new details about their safety-critical “remote assistance” programs—but questions remain.Aarian MarshallHow to Monitor Your Blood Pressure at HomeThere have never been so many ways to check for hypertension. Here’s what's available and how to use them.Adrienne SoAI Safety Meets the War MachineAnthropic doesn’t want its AI used in autonomous weapons or government surveillance. Those carve-outs could cost it a major military contract.Steven LevyWhen AI Companies Go to War, Safety Gets Left BehindWe were promised AI regulation and a race to the top. Now, we’re arguing about killer robots.Steven LevyHow Vulnerable Are Computers to an 80-Year-Old Spy Technique? Congress Wants AnswersA pair of US lawmakers are calling for an investigation into how easily spies can steal information based on devices’ electromagnetic and acoustic leaks—a spying trick the NSA once codenamed TEMPEST.Andy GreenbergMissile Attacks Are Overwhelming the Gulf. Delivery Drivers Are Still on the RoadsMissile and drone attacks have disrupted daily life, but delivery drivers are still diligently navigating streets to drop off orders across the region.Carla SertinWIRED is obsessed with what comes next. Through rigorous investigations and game-changing reporting, we tell stories that don’t just reflect the moment—they help create it. When you look back in 10, 20, even 50 years, WIRED will be the publication that led the story of the present, mapped the people, products, and ideas defining it, and explained how those forces forged the future. WIRED: For Future Reference.More From WIREDSubscribeNewslettersLivestreamsTravelFAQWIRED StaffWIRED EducationEditorial StandardsArchiveRSSSite MapAccessibility HelpReviews and GuidesReviewsBuying GuidesStreaming GuidesWearablesCouponsGift GuidesAdvertiseContact UsManage AccountJobsPress CenterCondé Nast StoreUser AgreementPrivacy PolicyYour California Privacy Rights© 2026 Condé Nast. All rights reserved. WIRED may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Ad ChoicesSelect international siteUnited StatesLargeChevronItaliaJapónCzech Republic & SlovakiaFacebookXPinterestYouTubeInstagramTiktok

China has achieved a significant milestone in the burgeoning field of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) by approving the first commercially available brain chip, Neo, developed by Neuracle Medical Technology. This action marks the nation’s debut as the first globally to authorize such an implant for therapeutic use. The Neo implant, approved for individuals aged 19 to 60 with paralysis stemming from neck or spinal cord injuries, translates imagined movements into actions performed by a robotic hand, offering a potential pathway to restored autonomy.

According to reports, the implant, approximately the size of a coin, contains eight electrodes placed on the brain’s motor cortex – the area responsible for controlling movement – and communicates with a computer. When a user envisions their hand moving, the chip transmits a signal, which the computer then translates into the corresponding actions of the prosthetic hand. Testing on 32 individuals has yielded positive results, with no reported adverse side effects, though this remains a relatively small sample size.

This development aligns with a broader, strategically-driven initiative unveiled by the Chinese government just months prior. A comprehensive policy document outlines a five-year plan to establish China as a global leader in the BCI industry. This plan encompasses 17 specific steps aimed at spearheading research, development, and applications within this new technology sector. Co-founder NeuroXess and Gestala, Jorge Garay, emphasized the significance of this shift, noting that the BCI technology has moved from a conceptual stage to a tangible product.

The government’s strategy extends beyond the specific Neo implant. It promotes the creation of non-invasive BCI devices, including forehead-mounted, head-mounted, and ear-mounted systems, such as hearing aids, visors and glasses. Furthermore, the policy encourages testing of these technologies in high-risk sectors – hazardous material handling, nuclear energy, mining, and electrical power generation – demonstrating a far-reaching vision for the technology’s potential applications.

The commercial approval of Neo represents a crucial inflection point for the BCI industry, shifting the focus from experimental prototypes toward practical, treatment-based solutions. While companies like Neuralink continue to advance their research, they have faced challenges with regulatory approval and managing side effects. The existing landscape of BCIs showcases a wide breadth of innovation, from communication devices utilizing thought to computer control without physical movement, to emerging technologies aiming to restore vision.

The Chinese endorsement of Neo positions the nation as a key player in this rapidly evolving field, and creates the potential for greater investment and wider adoption of the technology by patients who could immediately benefit. The initial objective of restoring autonomy to individuals with disabilities now has tangible outcomes. Experimental devices are expanding the potential applications of BCIs beyond restoring movement, including communication and computer control, and even interventions within vision restoration.