Daily Tech Roundup: China’s Push to Develop Tech Like Musk’s Neuralink, Beijing Lays Groundwork for Self-Driving Infrastructure

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A citizen experiences the brain-machine interface technology at at the 9th China (ShangHai) International Technology Fair in Shanghai on June 16, 2023. Photo: VCG

Welcome to the Daily Tech Roundup — a briefing of the top technology news making headlines in China and the rest of Asia.

China plans broader push to develop tech like Elon Musk’s Neuralink

China said Monday that it plans to task a committee with drafting standards to guide the use of brain-computer interfaces — a sign that the country intends to step up its own development of this emerging technology.

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China plans to develop brain-computer interfaces, drafting standards with experts to guide use, competing with Elon Musk's Neuralink.
Beijing proposes rules to support self-driving car infrastructure, signifying a step towards integrating vehicle-to-everything technology.
Amazon shuts its Kindle e-bookstore in China, citing failure to adapt to the local market, and Microsoft closes physical stores, shifting to online sales.

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Who’s Who

Neuralink Corp.: Neuralink Corp., co-founded by Elon Musk in 2016, is known for its development of brain-computer interface technology. The firm is working on an implantable device that uses signals from the brain to control external devices, such as robotic limbs. Currently, Neuralink is seeking participants with quadriplegia for a clinical trial, according to its website.

Amazon.com Inc.: Amazon.com Inc. failed to adapt to the Chinese e-reader market, leading to the shutdown of its Kindle e-bookstore in China. By June 30, 2023, Amazon stopped selling e-books and, addedly, halted customer service for Kindle users. This marked the final step in its phased exit from the Chinese market.

Microsoft Corp.: Microsoft Corp. closed all its physical retail stores in the Chinese mainland by June 30 as part of a global strategy to shift operations online. It retains offline locations only for after-sales services and maintains online storefronts on Taobao and JD.com. Customers can continue purchasing products and services through its website and retail partners.

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What Happened When

By June 30, 2024：: Microsoft terminated all its authorized physical stores in China, shifting to online-only sales.

2024-06-30：: Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology published draft rules involving the construction of roadside infrastructure for autonomous driving, open for public comment until July 29, 2024.

2024-07-01：: China plans to task a committee with drafting standards to guide the use of brain-computer interfaces.

2024-07-01：: Amazon completed its exit from the Chinese market, ending the ability to download books purchased from the Kindle store and discontinuing customer service for Kindle users in China.

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