Devices

A wireless, fully implanted, semi-invasive BCI with a 128-channel flexible electrode matrix, from the Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing and NeuCyber NeuroTech. Entered registered clinical trials in 2026. China entry, secondary region.

Device — Cortical surface

Beinao-1 (CIBR, NeuCyber)

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Beinao-1 · CIBR · NeuCyber · semi-invasive · flexible electrode · spinal cord injury · China · human

Beinao-1 (CIBR, NeuCyber)

One-line verdict: A second Chinese semi-invasive BCI program alongside NEO. The reported implant counts disagree between sources, so treat them as rough.

Quick tags: Recording · Semi-invasive · Human · China (secondary region) · GCP trial from 31 March 2026

Overview

What it is: Beinao-1 (also written Beinao No. 1, “The NeuCyber Matrix BCI System”), developed by the Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing (CIBR) with its spin-out NeuCyber NeuroTech (Beijing). China Daily describes a wireless, fully implanted, semi-invasive system using a flexible, ultra-thin electrode matrix with 128 channels, placed outside the protective membrane of the brain so it avoids direct contact with brain tissue.

Intended use: Restoring motor and speech function in patients with spinal cord injury, ALS or stroke, per the institute. China Daily says it supports speech decoding with a vocabulary of nearly 100 commonly used Chinese words.

Trial status: CIBR reports the first two implants in a GCP-compliant multi-center trial on 31 March 2026, at Tiantan Hospital and Xuanwu Hospital, in patients with spinal cord injury. The trial has an initial planned enrollment of 36 patients. CIBR also says seven patients had used the system in exploratory work over the previous year, with over 45,000 hours of safe operation.

Counts that do not agree: China Daily (15 June 2026) says nearly 30 human implants were completed in the earlier investigator-initiated phase and more than 65,000 hours of safe operation. A Chinese Academy of Sciences academy report (6 July 2026) quotes an expert saying Beinao-1 has completed 16 implantations, with nationwide hospital use planned for 2027. These may count different things, and the sources do not say. This entry gives all three figures instead of choosing one.

Next generation: China Daily reports Beinao-2 (NeuCyber Array), an invasive system with a 512-channel fully implantable wireless device, has entered animal trials, with clinical verification expected later in 2026.

Spec Card Grid

Identity

  • Developers: Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing; NeuCyber NeuroTech (Beijing). CIBR’s own release names Beijing CiNi Technology Co., Ltd. as co-developer
  • GCP trial start: 31 March 2026, planned 36 patients

Architecture

  • Electrodes: flexible matrix, 128 channels
  • Placement: outside the brain’s protective membrane, semi-invasive
  • Link: wireless, fully implanted

Evidence and limits

  • Implant counts: about 7, 16 and nearly 30, depending on source and date
  • Not covered here: electrode area, pitch and implant dimensions; no 3D model yet
  • Compare with: the epidural NEO system

References