Published:
21 Apr 2021 01:04 GMT
The device developed by Fudan University is expected to be put into commercial use next September.
Fudan Chinese University presented at China’s 8th International Technology Fair last week its first brain-computer wireless interface chip (BCI) for animals.
“Most BCI chips on the market today have cables, but our remote control chip can detect the brain signals of experimental animals as they move freely,” said Ye Dawei, a member of the research and development team. The scientist pointed out that There are currently no similar devices on the Chinese market and that their import costs between 300,000 and 400,000 yuan ($ 46,000 to $ 61,000).
#ChinaFudan University unveiled its first remote brain-computer remote interface (#BCI) #chip for animals, displayed at the China International Technology Fair (Shanghai) (CSITF). The college plans to put the chip into commercial use in September. pic.twitter.com/PDmTqh9MX1
– China Economy (@CE_ChinaEconomy) April 19, 2021
The device weighs less than 3 grams, one of which corresponds to the button battery it needs to operate, while “similar foreign items weigh about 27 grams,” the researcher explained, noting that the power of the chip, which is less than 3 millivati, allows the recording of brain signals within a radius of 4 meters for 24 hours. He also revealed that economical power consumption allows batteries to be replaced less frequently.
The BCI chip is expected to be put to commercial use next September.
For his part, Wang Peng, an associate professor at the Gaoling Faculty of Artificial Intelligence at Renmin University in China, said the launch of a remote BCI chip made in the Asian giant will be a big step forward. He mentioned that current uses of the device could focus on technological and medical research, to be later extended to other sectors.
Wang added that many technology companies around the world, including Neuralink, founded in 2016 by Elon Musk, began developing their brain-computer interfaces long before Chinese companies. “Therefore, its BCI equipment can be used in many sectors and scenarios and offers more advanced performance,” he said.
However, the remote device developed by Fudan University has outperformed foreign analog devices in some respects, such as uptime, purity of collected signals, and wireless data transmission and reception functions, as well as production cost, which is half, according to the specialist.
“If China-made BCI chips can maintain their price advantage, they can have great competitiveness and commercial value among international rivals,” Wang concluded.
If you liked it, share it with your friends!