Today's Article

Her voice 2restore after a coin-sized chip was implanted into the top of her brain. 

The 3breakthrough chip is called Bay Now One, a semi-4invasive and wireless 5brain computer interface, or BCI system. 

"Thank you for inviting us to your lab." 

The chief scientist behind it has given CNN rare access to his lab. 

"This is a human brain model in doing a real surgery, the scalp will be open, and the sensor will collect these neural signals and 6transmit the signals to this 7external device. And this signal will be processed for external device control." 

"For the patients who have been implanted with your BCI systems, how are they reacting to the system?" 

"The patients were saying that this feels so great, they can regain the control of the muscles." 

So far, Luo and his team say that they have implanted five patients with the Bay Now One chip. 

China's breakthroughs are 8revealing a growing ambition to rival industry leaders like Elon Musk's Neuralink. 

"China has definitely shown the ability to not just catch up, but also then be competitive and now actually to start, also to drive the field in some areas." 

In March, a paralyzed patient was able to walk with the help of a 9harness and standing frame after a brain tech implant by researchers from China's Fudan University. 

In April, a patient with a 10debilitating form of 11epilepsy was able to play complex video games thanks to a BCI chip from Chinese company NeuroX. 

And in May, a patient with no limbs was able to play racing and chess games after a brain implant from Shanghai-based StairMed. 

Western experts say breakthroughs in basic science have traditionally been led by the United States, but China 12has the edge on 13commercialization turning brain technology into an actual product that consumers want to buy.