China claims it conducted the world's first brain-computer interface experiment on a monkey.
Nicole Briggs looks at a real human brain being displayed as part of new exhibition at the @Bristol attraction on March 8, 2011 in Bristol, England.
This new achievement is expected to encourage the use of brain science research.
Aside from this, reports stated that the BCI experiment of China is allegedly the "leading" technology of the tech war between the United States and the Chinese government.
China Completes World's First Brain-Computer Interface Experiment on Monkey!
According to Interesting Engineering's latest report, there are three main categories of BCI that are under development.
A Rhesus macaque, part of the 11 rescued monkeys from research laboratories, looks on from the quarantine room of the future animal shelter 'La Taniere', in Nogent-le-Phaye near Chartres, on March 13, 2019. - The refuge, which will open to the public in 2020, cares for retired or mistreated animals from circus, people or illegal farms.
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These are invasive BCI, interventional BCI, and non-invasive BCI.
The 2nd one is what China is focusing on. During their recent experiment, involved Chinese researchers collected and identified EEG (electroencephalograph) signals after an interventional EGG was placed on the monkey's brain.
They used a minimally invasive surgery to put the EGG on the primate's cerebrovascular wall. This allowed the animal to control a robotic arm using only their thoughts.
China's BCI Experiment Vs. Neuralink
In 2021, Neuralink, Elon Musk's brain chip company, also did a similar experiment using an implanted device to allow a monkey to play a video game.
However, a Chinese BCI device company manager said that Neuralink relies on invasive technology.
Numerous industry experts warned that invasive BCI methods could harm the human body; leading to inflammatory response and rejection.
When Will China's Human Trials Begin?
As of writing, the interventional BCI tech of China still has a long way to go before it can be used on humans.
Ma Yongjie, a neurosurgeon at Beijing-based Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, said that the first animal BCI trial success of China is a breakthrough from zero to one.
"But getting the success to the clinic is a process from 1 to 100, so we still have a long way to go," he added via China Daily.
You can click this link to learn more about China's latest interventional BCI experiment.
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For more news updates about animal experiments, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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