China Approves the First Brain Chips for Sale—and Has a Plan to Dominate the Industry

China has become the first country to approve a commercially available brain implant designed to treat disabilities, marking a significant milestone in neurotechnology. The implant, called NEO and developed by Neuracle Medical Technology, enables individuals with paralysis to control an assistive robotic hand through thought, allowing them to perform basic tasks such as picking up objects and manipulating utensils. After 18 months of safety testing, China's National Medical Products Administration authorized the device for use in people aged 19 to 60 with limb movement impairments. So far, 32 users have tested NEO without adverse side effects. This approval aligns with China's broader strategic plan to dominate the brain-computer interface (BCI) industry within five years. The government recently issued a policy document outlining 17 steps to lead research, development, and application of BCI technologies, emphasizing mass production of non-invasive devices like forehead- or ear-mounted wearables for use in high-risk sectors such as nuclear energy and mining. While brain implants currently focus on restoring