China makes progress in brain-computer interface study

HANGZHOU -- Chinese scientists have made progress in brain-computer interface research after a successful experiment on an epilepsy patient.

After implanting an electrode connected to a robotic hand into the brain of a 28-year-old woman, the hand performed the three actions of the rock-paper-scissors game immediately after the patient.

This shows China's progress in brain-machine interface, bringing new hope to patients who suffer limb motor dysfunction, said Zhang Jianmin, head of the neurology department at the second hospital affiliated to Zhejiang University.

The Chinese team began their research in 2006 and in 2012 realized actions such as grasping and pinching of a robotic limb in an experiment on a monkey.

Researchers will work to improve the accuracy of the action of robotic limbs, said Zhang.