Leading researchers, medical professionals, and trade specialists gathered in Shanghai on Friday for the fourth good healthcare and rehabilitation convention and the seventh brain-computer interface (BCI) assembly, showcasing the most recent developments in BCI technology.
The two-day occasion aimed to advertise cross-disciplinary alternate and speed up the event of BCI technology, highlighting improvements in human-machine interplay and medical rehabilitation.
A spotlight of the occasion was a challenge from East China University of Science and Technology that integrates BCI technology with digital actuality, creating an immersive human-machine interplay system. The system allows customers with mobility limitations to manage gadgets utilizing solely their mind indicators.
“Our system comprises three main components: BCI equipment, controllable devices such as wheelchairs or robots, and VR glasses,” stated Huang Yitao, a graduate scholar concerned in the challenge.
The robotic configured in the present system comes from Robo Party, an organization identified for its “low cost, high performance, and open-source sharing” philosophy. “The new form of brain-computer interaction integrates seamlessly into robot control, enabling a more intuitive and immersive experience for users through cameras mounted on the robots,” Huang added.
“When you transfer your perception to the robot through BCI technology, the robot becomes a “residing service’,” Jin Jing, professor from the university and leader of the project, elaborated on the technology’s features. “It’s like a sensible model of Avatar, whereas it is extra about creating a brand new paradigm of human-machine interplay the place the consumer’s consciousness extends past their bodily physique whereas sustaining self-awareness.”
The technology represents an development over earlier generations by providing real-time 3D scene rendering and extra immersive consumer experiences, exhibiting promise for aged care and mobility-impaired people.
“This technology can help overcome spatial barriers for people with physical or geographical limitations, enabling them to interact and engage in activities across different regions,” Jin added. “While current perception is primarily visual, future generations will incorporate hearing, touch, and other senses.”
In the medical rehabilitation sector, Shanghai-based Arfysica Innovation has developed a noninvasive neural rehabilitation system now deployed in a number of top-tier hospitals throughout China. The firm, based in 2016, helped create China’s first BCI ward at Beijing Tiantan Hospital.
“We focus on patients with central nervous system injuries from conditions such as stroke, brain trauma and brain tumors, aiming to restore normal motor control through neural network rebuilding,” stated Jin Hui, the corporate’s vice chairman. Their system contains a wi-fi 16-channel EEG cap with energetic dry electrodes, eliminating the necessity for conductive gel for improved affected person consolation.
The impression of this technology on affected person restoration is substantial. “After six weeks of daily 25-to-50-minute training sessions, patients demonstrate significant motor function improvement,” Jin stated, noting that the system’s algorithm can obtain over 95 p.c decoding accuracy, and enhance restoration effectivity by 30-50 p.c.
Neuracle, one other participant in the sector, demonstrated its superior BCI multimodal acquisition system on the convention. “Our equipment can collect not just brain signals but also various physiological signals like electromyography and blood oxygen levels,” stated Shi Huihuang from their analysis and advertising and marketing division. The system can concurrently monitor as much as 10 topics, benefiting analysis in areas from visitors security to neuroaesthetic evaluation.
She additionally famous rising purposes past medical rehabilitation. “We’re seeing potential applications in construction safety,” Shi famous. “For instance, we can study how workers focus during high-risk activities like operating heavy machinery or working at heights, helping optimize safety protocols.”
Zakir Ullah, a Pakistani PhD scholar at Shanghai Jiao Tong University interning at a neighborhood BCI firm, expressed enthusiasm for the sector’s sensible impression. “What excites me most is seeing how BCI devices directly help people regain motor control and lead better lives,” he stated. “Seeing patients’ hope and excitement when using these devices gives me tremendous encouragement.”
Attracted by China’s results-focused work atmosphere and powerful authorities assist for innovation, Ullah plans to work in China after commencement. “The work environment here is welcoming, and both government policies and local authorities maintain a strong focus on achieving concrete results.”