Core Insights - Shanghai Ladder Medical Technology Co., Ltd. has achieved a significant breakthrough in brain-machine interface (BMI) technology, demonstrating the feasibility of "thought control" in real-world scenarios through a video of a quadriplegic subject playing a video game using an implanted flexible BMI device [1] Group 1: Technological Breakthrough - The company developed flexible electrodes made from biocompatible polyimide, only 4 micrometers thick, which significantly reduces immune rejection risks [2] - The wireless transmission module allows real-time brain signal transmission at 10MB per second with a latency of 50 milliseconds, enabling subjects to move freely within a 10-meter radius [2] - A nano-scale conductive coating was developed in collaboration with the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, reducing electrode impedance to 1/50 of traditional products while maintaining over 3 years of signal stability [2] Group 2: Clinical Application - A case study of a subject named Zhang Wei, who lost all four limbs due to an accident, showed that after receiving the BMI implant, he achieved a 89% accuracy in controlling the game after 37 days of training [3] - The team developed a reinforcement learning-based adaptive algorithm to dynamically adjust the decoding model based on real-time brain signals [3] - Neuroimaging revealed significant functional reorganization in the motor cortex of the subject's brain, indicating a new theoretical basis for brain injury rehabilitation [3] Group 3: Global Competition - Ladder Medical is the second company globally to enter the clinical stage of invasive BMIs, having completed 23 primate experiments and 5 human implants, while competitors like Neuralink have not yet received approval for human trials [4] - The company has established a complete self-sufficient technology chain in the neuroengineering field, from materials to clinical trial systems [4] - The low-power chip used in the wireless transmission module reduces power consumption by 60% compared to similar products [4] Group 4: Ethical Considerations - The company has implemented three safety mechanisms in clinical trials to address ethical concerns, including encrypted signal transmission and a "panic button" for subjects [5] - Ethical discussions are emerging regarding the potential blurring of lines between natural abilities and technological enhancements, raising questions about the future of human identity [5] - The company's principle is to prioritize restoration over enhancement, focusing on severe motor impairment patients [5] Group 5: Future Outlook - Ladder Medical plans to launch a second-generation product in 2024, increasing the number of electrode channels from 128 to 1024 for finer control [6] - The long-term goal includes creating a "neural-digital" bidirectional interface to allow patients to receive sensory feedback [6] - The potential for a "brain-cloud collaboration" system could redefine human-machine relationships and create new job roles in the future [6]