Neuralink vs. BrainCo: Innovations in neurotechnology with or without surgical interventions

The Chinese startup BrainCo, founded in 2015 within Harvard Innovation Labs, develops brain-computer interfaces (BCI) that allow control of external devices through thoughts, without the need for surgical interventions, unlike Neuralink, which uses brain implants.

BrainCo has attracted investments of approximately 280 million dollars and aims to help patients with severe neurological conditions, such as ALS, through bionic prosthetics and wearable devices. The company intends to expand its applications towards treatments for ADHD and depression, as well as consumer electronics products.

The Chinese government considers neurotechnology a strategic field, included in the five-year development plan, and has created a distinct category in health insurance for these devices. Although current applications are primarily medical, investors see long-term potential in enhancing cognitive abilities, while also raising ethical questions and personal data protection in the context of competition between the United States and China.