Latest news with #braincomputerinterface
South China Morning Post
8 hours ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Can China's brain tech make Elon's Neuralink open-skull surgery out of date?
A team led by China's Nankai University has completed what it calls the world's first human trial of a brain-computer interface (BCI) implanted via blood vessels, helping a paralysed patient regain limb movement. Advertisement Unlike the open-skull approach of Elon Musk's US-based neurotechnology company Neuralink, the Nankai University method reportedly reduces risk and shortens recovery time. This research was led by Professor Duan Feng, vice dean of the university's medical college, and the interventional surgery was performed at the Fujian Sanbo Funeng Brain Hospital, according to a university statement. A 67-year-old male patient with left hemiplegia from a cerebral infarction six months earlier, who was showing slow rehabilitation progress, underwent BCI interventional implantation. Hemiplegia is a paralysis affecting one side of the body. Advertisement Under high-precision digital subtraction angiography (DSA) imaging guidance, surgeons inserted a stent electrode into the patient's intracranial vasculature, a network of blood vessels in the skull that supply blood to the brain, via a minimally invasive neck vein procedure, according to a university statement.
Forbes
a day ago
- Health
- Forbes
20 Potential First-Mover Use Cases For Brain-Computer Interface Tech
Brain-computer interface technology has long belonged to the realm of science fiction, but it's quickly emerging as a real-world innovation with the potential to transform how we live, work and interact. BCIs create a direct communication link between the brain and an external device, enabling users to control technology using only their thoughts. While the possibilities are vast, some applications are better positioned than others for early, widespread adoption—thanks to existing demand, supporting infrastructure and familiar user behaviors. Below, members of Forbes Technology Council share compelling predictions about the earliest real-world use cases for this groundbreaking tech. 1. Controlling Smart Homes By Thought Synchron recently showed someone controlling their smart home by thought alone. What's exciting is the shift from spelling out commands to understanding intent. Instead of typing 'turn on the lights,' you think it, and the AI acts. This could unlock powerful use cases beyond assistive tech for people with paralysis. - David Malenoir-Evans, Bestow 2. Restoring Mobility And Communication For Individuals With Paralysis The first real-world use case will be in healthcare—specifically, restoring mobility and communication in individuals with paralysis. BCI technology is making significant progress, with users able to control prosthetic limbs, robotic exoskeletons and communication devices using only their brain signals. The most widely adopted applications are those that help patients regain independence. - Ashay Satav, eBay Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify? 3. Speeding Up Digital Communication Tasks The first real-world use case for brain-computer interfaces will likely be enhancing digital communication. Humans spend countless hours on tasks like texting and emailing. BCIs can streamline these processes, enabling users to compose messages at the speed of thought. This efficiency boost will revolutionize productivity, making it an attractive entry point for widespread adoption. - Udit Mehrotra, Amazon 4. Powering Natural Movement With Prosthetic Limbs Prosthetic limbs are likely to see the first widespread adoption of brain-computer interfaces due to their social relevance. BCIs can help people with limb loss regain natural movement, improving their confidence and inclusion in society. More than a technological advancement, it's a step toward humanity that will make people independent again. - Apeksha Jain, Arista Networks 5. Assessing Mental Acuity In Medical Settings I think brain-computer interface technology will be used in the medical field to better gauge the mental acuity of patients in a variety of scenarios. This will provide a lot more data than asking someone if they remember where they are and performing some eye-hand coordination tests! - Syed Ahmed, Act-On Software 6. Providing Personalized Mental Wellness Beyond healthcare or entertainment, the first widespread use of BCI may be for personalized mental wellness—real-time mood regulation and cognitive optimization. Imagine BCIs subtly detecting stress or focus dips and adjusting your environment or prompting mindful breaks. This seamless mental tuning could revolutionize productivity and self-care, making brain tech as essential as a smartwatch. - Haider Ali, WebFoundr 7. Improving Hearing With Smart Earbuds Smart earbuds with ear-EEG sensors can detect which voice you're focusing on in noisy settings, instantly amplifying it while suppressing background noise. This noninvasive, affordable solution helps millions with hearing challenges using existing prototype technology while avoiding the ethical concerns of implanted brain interfaces. - Mohit Menghnani, Twilio 8. Restoring Lost Sensory Function BCIs could help restore sight (bionic eyes), hearing (cochlear implants) or even sense of touch. BCI can enable real-time brainwave feedback for anxiety, PTSD and ADHD treatment. For now, medical applications are most promising for early adoption, but consumer and industrial applications will likely follow as the technology matures! - Joydeb Mandal, Accenture 9. Enabling Thought-Controlled Gaming A likely first nonclinical use case for brain-computer interfaces is hands-free control in gaming and augmented and virtual realities. Gamers are early adopters, and BCIs can enhance immersion by letting users control actions with thoughts. As headsets evolve, integrating BCIs for intuitive, thought-driven interaction is a natural next step with mass-market appeal. - Antara Dave, Microsoft Corporation 10. Boosting Performance In High-Risk Work Environments The first real-world brain-computer interface use case likely to see broad adoption will be in high-risk operational environments like defense, aviation or energy. BCIs won't just monitor fatigue or stress; they'll accelerate decision-making by tapping directly into cognitive intent, enhancing human performance in critical moments where speed and clarity are essential. - Mark Mahle, NetActuate, Inc. 11. Optimizing Sleep Sleep optimization will beat medical uses to market. People already track everything with wearables, but BCIs will finally let us program our dreams and wake up perfectly refreshed. Picture setting your brain to 'solve that coding problem' mode while you sleep. Tech workers will pay thousands for eight hours of productive unconsciousness. - Ishaan Agarwal, Square 12. Enhancing Media Engagement And Advertising Impact Media consumption and advertisement will be the first real-world use cases with broad adoption. Getting that dopamine hit from social media and uplifting ads will drive adoption and get us into the technology. - Kevin Korte, Univention 13. Improving Workplace Focus And Preventing Burnout Workplace neuroergonomics will drive early BCI adoption. Companies will use brain-computer interfaces to optimize focus, reduce burnout and enhance performance in high-stakes roles like trading or aviation. It offers measurable ROI and safety gains, making it appealing for enterprise rollout before mass consumer or medical use. - Anusha Nerella, State Street Corporation 14. Capturing Creative Thought With Generative AI Generative AI will likely be an early use case for BCI. There are times—for example, when we exercise, drive and rest—when our minds are often the most creative. Imagine being able to put your ideas to use right there and then. We would see a boom in productivity and disruptive technologies. Stuck in traffic? No problem. Dreaming? No problem. The world will be drastically different if this technology is correctly implemented. - WaiJe Coler, InfoTracer 15. Advancing Military Capabilities The defense sector will drive BCI adoption through enhanced soldier capabilities and remote system control. Military funding overcomes cost barriers that slow consumer adoption, and performance advantages in critical scenarios justify investment. BCIs that allow pilots to control multiple drones simultaneously or enable faster tactical decision-making represent immediate strategic advantages. - Marc Fischer, Dogtown Media LLC 16. Powering Immersive XR Applications Across Industries A key early use case for BCI is hands-free control in extended reality, boosting immersive experiences. XR is rapidly growing in gaming, enterprise training, medical and surgical training, mental health therapy, and telemedicine. With tech giants investing heavily, BCI integration could become a major differentiator in the gaming, training and medical XR markets. - Harikrishnan Muthukrishnan, Florida Blue 17. Enabling Independent Living For Older Adults The first broad BCI adoption may come via intuitive, thought-controlled interfaces tailored for elderly users struggling with traditional tech interactions. By translating intent directly into device actions—such as phone calls, home controls or medical alerts—BCI can vastly enhance daily autonomy, creating immediate, tangible benefits that justify widespread adoption among aging demographics. - Jagadish Gokavarapu, Wissen Infotech 18. Supporting Real-Time Emotional Self-Regulation Widespread BCI use may first emerge in emotional self-regulation—real-time neurofeedback for stress, anxiety and focus. As wearables evolve, BCIs will offer discreet mental tuning, like a 'mind thermostat.' It's simple, noninvasive and wellness-driven—perfect for mass adoption outside clinical or niche tech circles. - Roman Vinogradov, Improvado 19. Shortening Recovery From Stroke Or Injury A strong early brain-computer interface use case is neurorehabilitation after stroke or injury. BCIs detect motor intent and pair it with feedback (like robotics or VR) to help retrain the brain. For those recovering from stroke or injury, this boosts recovery and shortens rehab time. The technology has shown promising results in trials, making it attractive for hospitals and widely acceptable in healthcare. - Jyoti Shah, ADP 20. Enhancing Productivity In Constrained Environments Silent, thought-driven controls will redefine productivity in constrained environments. Picture a surgeon accessing digital notes or a warehouse picker triggering inventory logs hands-free, voice-free, via a neural interface. It's not sci-fi; it's the natural evolution of interface design—one that is secure, private, faster and frictionless. - Savinay Berry, OpenText
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
PanBrain Tech Unveils Breakthrough Brain-Computer Interface Device at BEYOND EXPO 2025 in Macau
MACAU, June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brain science technology company PanBrain Tech Co., Ltd. drew widespread attention at the BEYOND International Technology Innovation Expo 2025 in Macau with the debut of its flagship brain-computer interface (BCI) device, the PanBrain EC2. The wearable device leverages transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance neuroplasticity, cognitive function, and support overall mental performance. Visitors lined up at the company's booth to try the EC2 for themselves. Many said they had never encountered a product like it before, and reported feeling more focused, energized, and mentally refreshed after a brief session. Unlike common wearables such as smartwatches or headbands that passively track physiological metrics, the PanBrain EC2 actively stimulates the brain's prefrontal cortex using clinically validated tDCS technology. It is designed to support improvements in attention, mood regulation, sleep quality, and mental vitality. "The response at BEYOND Expo was phenomenal," said Dr. Nai-Lin Yao, founder and CEO of PanBrain Tech. "We're thrilled to see such global interest in accessible, brain science-based technologies." Understanding tDCS Technology Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique grounded in decades of clinical research. Widely used in the neurology departments of major hospitals, tDCS delivers a weak direct current to targeted regions of the cerebral cortex. According to the Hebbian principle, this current can reshape synaptic connections between neurons, activate neural circuits, and accelerate the metabolism of excitatory neurotransmitters such as glutamate. Clinical studies have demonstrated that tDCS may enhance memory, attention, and mood, and may also reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, procrastination, and sleep disturbances. About PanBrain Tech Founded in 2019 by Dr. Nai-Lin Yao, a Yale-trained psychiatrist and postdoctoral researcher, PanBrain Tech is a brain science–driven technology company focused on advancing cognitive health through accessible innovation. The company holds multiple proprietary patents and certifications, and was named a National High-Tech Enterprise in China in 2024, as well as a Specialized and Innovative SME in Shenzhen. As of April 2025, PanBrain has sold more than 12,000 tDCS devices to the global market. PanBrain is currently expanding its global research collaborations in neuroscience and will showcase its technology at the CES 2026 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas—a major milestone in the company's international growth strategy. For more information, visit Press inquiries: info@ Linkedin: Instagram: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE PanBrain Tech Co., Ltd.
South China Morning Post
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Chinese brain experiment during dance performance sparks goosebumps and aversion
Audience members at a university dance recital have sparked a viral – and visceral – reaction after a social media post with 10 million views showed them taking part in a brain-reading experiment while watching the performance. Advertisement But the scientists monitoring brain response during the show have come out to explain the nature of the experiment and the purpose of the volunteers' electrode-covered 'hats' worn in the theatre that social media commenters said were unsettling and had triggered 'goosebumps' and phobias. Brain-computer interface technology (BCI), such as that used by audience members at Tsinghua University this month, enables direct communication between the brain and external devices. Photo: Handout On June 7, a dance drama performance called 'Wing Chun' was held in a theatre at Tsinghua University. During the performance, eight students who sat together in one row wore futuristic 'hats' covered with threads and white dots. A student dancer from another university in Beijing was so spooked by the apparent cyberpunk scene that she posted photos from the show on the Chinese social media platform RedNote. She asked: 'What kind of mysterious hi-tech organisation is this? I, a dance student, really want to know!' Advertisement The post quickly attracted attention and discussion, with more than 2,300 comments flooding in, many of which expressed horror and bewilderment.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Precision Neuroscience Named to Fast Company's World Changing Ideas and Inc.'s Best Workplaces Lists
Awards recognize innovation in healthcare technology and excellence in workplace culture NEW YORK, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Precision Neuroscience Corporation (Precision), a leader in brain–computer interface (BCI) technology, has been named to two prestigious lists: Fast Company's World Changing Ideas and Inc.'s 2025 Best Workplaces. Fast Company recognized Precision for its Layer 7 Cortical Interface, a high-resolution electrode array that forms the core of its BCI system. The device is designed to help people with paralysis caused by conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and ALS. Recently cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Layer 7 Cortical Interface can record, monitor, and stimulate electrical activity on the brain's surface. It is designed to be implanted using a minimally invasive technique and to avoid damage to brain tissue, instead conforming gently to the surface of the brain. When used as part of Precision's full BCI system, it will enable users to control digital devices—such as computers and smartphones—using only their thoughts. The Fast Company list honors companies developing bold, scalable solutions to major global challenges. A panel of editors and reporters evaluated more than 1,500 entries based on impact and potential to improve society. 'The World Changing Ideas Awards have always been about showcasing the art of the possible,' Fast Company's editor-in-chief, Brendan Vaughan, said. 'We're proud to recognize the organizations and leaders that are making meaningful progress on the biggest issues of our time.' Inc.'s 2025 Best Workplaces list highlights companies with outstanding workplace culture. The selection process included an audit of benefits and an employee survey by Quantum Workplace, evaluating management, perks, professional growth, and overall satisfaction. Michael Mager, Precision's co-founder and CEO, said, "We're proud to be recognized both for the impact of our technology and the culture we're building. In the past year, we've advanced our clinical work—testing our device in more than 40 patients to date—received our first FDA clearance, and grown our team, adding extraordinary talent across science, engineering, and operations. Our mission is ambitious—and it's made possible by the people here who are determined to bring this life-changing technology to those who need it." ABOUT PRECISIONPrecision Neuroscience is working to provide breakthrough treatments for the millions of people worldwide suffering from neurological illnesses. The company is building the only brain–computer interface designed to be minimally invasive, safely removable, and capable of processing large amounts of data. To learn more about how Precision is connecting human intelligence and artificial intelligence, visit Contact:media@ ABOUT FAST COMPANYFast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at ABOUT is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit
