Experts at the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing have emphasized the crucial role of cutting-edge technologies in supporting people with disabilities, calling for the development of a more inclusive society that effectively addresses the daily needs of this vulnerable group.

They made the remarks at a sub-forum on Friday on the sidelines of the ZGC forum, one of China's key platforms for international technology exchange, which kicked off on Wednesday and will run through Sunday.

Luo Minmin, co-director of the Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, outlined how brain-computer interface technology can support people with disabilities, saying that the choice of the technology depends on different requirements.

"For fine motor control, invasive and fully implanted products with high performance represent the ultimate trend, while non-invasive devices may be sufficient for simple motion tasks," he said, adding that planned clinical trials for their products are moving forward.

The research currently focuses on aiding individuals with severe motor impairments, such as high-level paralysis. "We are confident that our work will benefit many people," Luo said.

Song Wenhui, a professor of biomaterials and medical engineering at University College London, leads a team focused on developing an advanced hearing system. She stated, "The breakthrough of this system lies in its materials, which enable the device to capture a wider range of sound signals and significantly enhance sound quality."

"We believe this technology could eventually help a wide range of people with hearing disability, from children to adults and the elderly," she added.

Liu Lijun, deputy director of the planning and finance department with the China Disabled Persons' Federation, said the federation will strengthen research on basic and cutting-edge technologies in the field of disability assistance.

"We will advance research in key fields such as artificial intelligence and brain-computer interface, with a focus on addressing the daily needs of persons with disabilities. This includes enhancing the development of products like bionic prosthetics and intelligent navigation aids for the visually impaired," she said.