Beijing Brain II (BeiNao-2) Set for Clinical Validation in 2026: A High-Channel Invasive Brain-Computer Interface System

The electrode, as thin as a hair, implanted in the macaque's skull is from "NEUCYBER No. 2." Luo Minmin, director of the Beijing Academy of Neuroscience, introduced,The electrode has been implanted in its brain for more than two years and can still accurately capture the activity data of five or six hundred nerve cells at the sub-millisecond scale.It is based on these brain signals that the algorithm model can accurately predict the macaque's motor intention and ultimately complete the action of clicking the red ball on the screen.

"The brain tissue is very soft and constantly active, which poses a challenge for the stable acquisition of micrometer-level signals. This requires the algorithm to be smarter and more intelligent, with the ability to adjust stably across days," Luo Minmin provided a set of experimental data. "Beijing Brain No. 2" can transmit up to about 7.2 bits of EEG signals per second. The intuitive manifestation is that, "The macaque controls the cursor very smoothly, and its response is even faster than manual human control."

Currently, "NEUCYBER-2" has completed the development of a 512-channel engineering prototype, and animal experiments are continuously advancing. Plans are in place to initiate investigator-initiated clinical research (IIT) by the end of 2026.

The R&D company of "BrainX-2" is NEUCYBER, a tech enterprise incubated by the Beijing Brain Institute. It also developed the intelligent brain-computer system "BrainX-1," which once exploded with global attention.At the end of March, "BeiNao No.1" has initiated standardized, large-scale confirmatory clinical trials, and medical institutions such as Beijing Tiantan Hospital and Beijing Xuanwu Hospital have successively completed surgeries for enrolled patients.It is expected that in 2027, "NEUCYBER One" will obtain clinical registration certification.

Simply put,The Two "NEUCYBER" Products Connect with the Brain in Different Ways"BeiNao No.1" is semi-invasive, with electrode patches placed outside the dura mater, without penetrating brain tissue, minimizing impact on patients; "BeiNao No.2" is invasive, with electrodes implanted into brain tissue to record precise neural electrical activity from individual neurons or very small regions. According to published information, "BeiNao No.1" can help patients with spinal cord injuries, stroke, or ALS to restore motor or speech functions. It can be predicted that the close-contact "BeiNao No.2" is expected to better "understand" the brain, achieving more refined decoding and motor control functions.

The capability to simultaneously develop both semi-invasive and invasive intelligent brain-computer systems is also uncommon among global technology companies. Luo Minmin believes that, whether it's the Beijing Brain Institute or NEUCYBER, both have fully benefited from "geographical advantage" and "harmony among people." Both entities are located in Changping District.ZhongguancunLife Science Park. The Zhongguan Village (Changping) Brain Science and Brain-Computer Interface Industry Park is being accelerated here. "The park provides us with support in terms of technology, talent, and concepts, speeding up the research, development, and validation of brain-computer interface products."

This "bonus" continues to manifest. As the development of "BeiNao No.1" and "BeiNao No.2" progresses, the original preparation platform—the Micro-Nano Technology Center established by the Beijing Brain Institute—faces production challenges. The park is undertaking the construction of a larger-scale production line.

Not only is the Zhongguan Village (Changping) Brain Science and Brain-Computer Interface Industry Park being developed, but Beijing's first brain science and brain-computer interface industry cluster is also rapidly taking shape in Changping District. The district has strategically laid out a dedicated fund for brain science and brain-computer interface initiatives, with a focus on supporting early-stage projects and incubating innovative enterprises, injecting financial vitality into the development of the brain science and brain-computer interface industry, and accelerating the transition of scientific and technological achievements from the lab to the market.

Source: Beijing Daily Client