2025-09-30
Recently, the first “Brain–Computer Interface 50-Person Forum” of the Brain–Computer Interface Industry Alliance and the Tianjin Brain–Computer Interface Industry Innovation and Development Promotion Conference were held in Tianjin’s Binhai High-tech Zone. Nearly one hundred guests from industry, academia and the investment community gathered at the Haihe Laboratory for Brain-Computer Interaction and Human-Computer Integration (hereinafter referred to as the Haihe Brain-Computer Laboratory) to discuss how brain-computer interface (BCI) technology can more rapidly “connect” with industry, daily life and the future. At the conference, China’s first dedicated testing platform for brain-computer interfaces was officially signed and launched.
Building an authoritative testing platform
Typing with “thoughts” or controlling actions with the mind—BCI technology creates an information channel between the brain and external devices, enabling direct information exchange between the two. It is a cutting-edge cross-disciplinary technology, and the brain-computer interface industry is also a representative future industry.
The dedicated BCI testing platform signed at this event is being jointly established by the Haihe Brain-Computer Laboratory and the Tianjin Medical Device Quality Supervision and Inspection Center. By formulating relevant testing standards, the platform will promote industry standardization, improve product quality, enhance China’s technological autonomy and international discourse power, and accelerate the practical application of brain-computer interface technologies.
Recognizing Tianjin’s technological strengths in the BCI field, Tianjin Hengxin Qiming Digital Technology Co, Ltd. chose to settle in the Binhai High-tech Zone this year. “The Haihe Brain-Computer Laboratory is at the forefront of research on non-invasive technologies, and Tianjin is home to many top tertiary hospitals, which allows us to better connect with front line medical resources,” said Wu Qiong, Deputy General Manager of the company. “We will leverage these technological and resource advantages to further promote our perioperative integrated management system and behavior management system, helping to develop modern intelligent operating rooms.”
Reporters also learned at the conference that the first Global Brain–Computer Interface Developers Conference will be launched in Tianjin in 2025. It will promote open sharing of upstream BCI development platforms and resources, sowing “open-source seeds” for numerous downstream enterprises and technology enthusiasts, so that BCI technology can empower a wide range of industries and benefit thousands of households.
Latest research results showcased
As the organizer of the event, the Haihe Brain-Computer Laboratory released nearly ten of its latest research results during the conference, covering such areas as an autism assessment system, an objective quantification system for auditory perception, a non-invasive intracranial pressure and cerebral oxygen synchronous monitoring system, a customized MRI system for brain-computer interaction, and a chip-based visual BCI, among others.
“The results we have brought this time mainly target specific clinical problems. For example, ‘Shengong-Shenxing’ is used for objective diagnosis of children with autism, while ‘Shengong-Shen’er’ focuses on the auditory domain and provides objective assessment of whether a person can hear, hear clearly and understand,” said Ni Guangjian, Executive Deputy Director of the Haihe Brain-Computer Laboratory. “These technologies can provide strong support in addressing key issues in real-world diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.”
During the conference, a report titled “Insights into Brain–Computer Interface Technology and Industrial Innovation” was released, providing practical reference and trend guidance for the industry. China’s first specialist journal on brain–computer interfaces, Journal of Brain–Computer Interfaces (bilingual in Chinese and English), was also announced, aiming to provide a high-quality publication platform for researchers. In addition, the second Huanao Scholars Award and the selection of the Top Ten Huanao Advances for 2025 were officially launched.
From the laboratory to the clinic
This year is a critical year for BCI technology to move towards application. In March, the National Healthcare Security Administration included BCI technology in the medical service pricing catalogue for neurological procedures. In July, seven ministries including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly issued the Implementation Opinions on Promoting the Innovative Development of the Brain–Computer Interface Industry, facilitating BCI products to be applied more rapidly in healthcare and other fields.
Subsequently, the “EEG Acquisition and Event-Related Potential System” developed by Suishi (Tianjin) Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., located in the Binhai High-tech Zone, received official approval, becoming Tianjin’s first Class II BCI medical device to be approved for market since the issuance of the implementation opinions. It will be put into use first in Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin First Central Hospital and other medical institutions.
On 1 October, the Tianta Campus of Tianjin Huanhu Hospital will officially open, and at that time the country’s first comprehensive clinical trial ward for brain–computer interfaces will also be put into use. “This means that patients will be able to receive relevant diagnosis and treatment in the hospital, and BCI technology is moving from laboratory R&D and testing into clinical application,” Ni Guangjian said.
As one of Tianjin’s first pilot zones for future industries, the Binhai High-tech Zone will introduce special support policies for BCIs and provide targeted support in ten areas, including talent attraction, scientific and technological innovation, commercialization and internationalization. Chang Xinyue, Director of the New Economy Bureau of the Binhai High-tech Zone, said that the zone is committed to building a special industrial zone, a talent zone and an innovation zone for BCIs. At the same time, it will make use of the SCO digital economy cooperation platform to encourage companies to “go global” and bring China’s technologies and solutions to the world.
(Source: Tianjin Daily)
