Developed by a Tsinghua University research team led by professor Hong Bo from the School of Biomedical Engineering in collaboration with Neuracle, the NEO system represents a different technological approach from some Western competitors.

　　In the United States, Elon Musk's Neuralink is pursuing a fully invasive route, implanting electrodes directly into brain tissue. While this can yield high-resolution signals, it involves more invasive surgery and associated risks.

　　Tsinghua's NEO, by contrast, is implanted with its main device embedded in the skull, while electrodes are placed over the dura mater between the skull and the cerebral cortex, without penetrating brain tissue.

　　"For quadriplegic patients with cervical spinal injuries who can't grasp objects, we implant a coin-sized device outside the dura mater using minimal invasive surgery,"Wang Yujing, Neuracle product director, told People's Daily.

　　"The system decodes brain signals in real time, enabling them to control a pneumatic glove with their thoughts to grasp objects or drink water," she added.

　　The clinical data are highly promising. In trials conducted across 11 Chinese hospitals, all participants achieved brain-controlled grasping. The system boasted a decoding accuracy exceeding 90 percent, with a response delay of mere milliseconds. Furthermore, the implant is powered wirelessly through near-field communication, eliminating the need for internal batteries and risky replacement surgeries.

　　Despite the hype surrounding surgical implants, the reality of today's commercial landscape is far less invasive.