China's BrainCo Bets Brain Tech Is a Headband, Not Surgery
While Neuralink Drills into Skulls, China’s BrainCo Is Betting on Wearable Neurotech
China’s BrainCo believes the future of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) lies in wearables, not surgery. The Hangzhou-based company thinks an easier-to-scale and less regulated approach using headbands is the way to go.
The Landscape of BCI Race
The most prominent race in BCIs involves invasive surgeries. However, BrainCo takes a different path by focusing on non-invasive devices that read brain signals from the scalp. This strategy sets them apart from competitors like Neuralink, which implants electrodes directly into the brain.
Product Offerings and Market Positioning
BrainCo's clinical work includes bionic hands that translate neural signals into finger motions for amputees. They also develop consumer wearables, such as a sleep aid that uses low-intensity electrical pulses to target stress-related neurochemicals. Their approach involves proving technology in medicine first and then integrating it into everyday products.
Funding and Support
American neurotech companies often rely on billionaire funding, while China's neurotech is backed by seven ministries with a national BCI plan targeting key breakthroughs by 2027. BrainCo has raised approximately $280 million (2 billion yuan) in investments, co-led by IDG Capital, and is preparing for a Hong Kong listing.
Ethical Considerations
While wearables lower the risk associated with BCIs, they also raise new ethical concerns. The ease of deploying brain tech through headbands could lead to widespread usage without individual consent, especially in controlled environments like schools. BrainCo's 2019 trial with Focus headbands in a primary school in Zhejiang sparked fierce backlash when it was revealed that the devices were used to monitor children's attention for teachers.
The Unseen Boundaries
The emergence of easily accessible brain tech raises questions about privacy, autonomy, and potential misuse. As BCI technology advances and becomes more integrated into daily life, ensuring ethical guidelines and regulations keep pace will be crucial.