Hongqiao BCI cluster unveils new innovations

Shanghai's Neuro Space has become a hub for brain-computer interface (BCI) innovation.

Located in the Hongqiao International Central Business District, the 25,000-square-meter cluster had attracted 52 BCI-related companies and 22 incubators as of July 2026. The companies are developing technologies including flexible electrodes, BCI chips, ultrasound brain interfaces and vision restoration.

Shanghai is speeding up the transition from research to real-world applications. The city's first approved implantable BCI medical device entered clinical use this year, while five more Class III BCI medical products are undergoing clinical trials or regulatory review.

Several new technologies were showcased at Neuro Space during Shanghai's Government Open Month activities on Aug 6.

A brain-controlled popcorn machine and electric fan drew attention from visitors. Wearing an electroencephalogram (EEG) device, visitors were able to activate the machines when their concentration levels reached a certain point, offering a simple demonstration of non-invasive BCI technology.

A new integrated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) navigation system for depression treatment was also on display. It combines brain imaging, 3D cameras and automated control to improve treatment precision.

Another highlight was Lingxi Cloud, a brain disease data platform with about 2.1 million clinical cases and petabyte-level data, supporting medical research and precision diagnosis.