News
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2026.07.02
The NHK programs “NHK News” and “Hot Kansai” featured a segment titled “Device to Interpret Brain Waves and Convey Intent for ALS Patients to Begin Clinical Trials in 2026.”
The invasive BMI technology developed with participation from our laboratory—designed to decode brain activity in ALS patients and enable communication—was introduced as moving toward Japan’s first clinical trial in 2026.
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2026.07.02
JiMED’s implantable BCI clinical trial plan has been featured in Dow Jones Yomiuri Shimbun Pro.
The article published on June 19, 2026, titled “Communication via Brain Waves: Osaka University Startup to Begin Clinical Trials for a Device for Patients with Intractable Diseases,” introduced JiMED’s clinical trial plan for an implantable BCI designed for ALS patients.
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2026.07.02
JiMED Inc. has raised 330 million yen to advance preparations for the clinical trial of the implantable BCI
As an Osaka University–originated startup, JiMED is advancing preparations for clinical testing of the wiBCI medical device for ALS patients and enhancing partnerships with collaborators in Japan and abroad.
JiMED’s wiBCI medical device
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2026.07.02
Announcement of the 29th Annual Meeting of Japan Human Brain Mapping Society
The 29th Annual Meeting of Japan Human Brain Mapping Society will be held on March 26–27, 2027, at the Senri Life Science Center in Osaka, under the chairmanship of Professor Masayuki Hirata of Osaka University.
The conference will provide a forum for sharing the latest advances in brain function research and fostering new developments through collaboration among industry, academia, and medicine.→The 29th Annual Meeting of Japan Human Brain Mapping Society
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2026.07.02
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has released the evaluation criteria for next‑generation medical devices, including implantable BMI technologies.
Professor Hirata contributed to the formulation of these criteria as a member of the task force.
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2026.07.02
The clinical trial notification for the implantable BMI system developed by our laboratory has been submitted to and accepted by the PMDA.
The implantable BMI system under development in our course has now been submitted to the PMDA as a clinical trial notification, accepted, and published as primary clinical trial information.
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2026.07.02
Professor Hirata was featured in Kyoto iCAP’s “Stories,” where he discussed the development of implantable BCI technology.
In the interview, he talked about the background of the implantable BCI project as well as the collaborative research with JiMED Inc., the co‑creation partner of the course.
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2026.01.20
Our laboratory’s research on “brainwave information decoding technology” was featured in the Asahi Shimbun’s series “The Age of AI.” (January 19, 2026, morning edition, pages 1-2).
Following an earlier report on Asahi Shimbun Digital, the Asahi Shimbun morning edition also introduced research on technology that uses brainwaves and AI to interpret the intentions of patients who have lost the ability to move their bodies due to conditions like ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
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2026.01.16
Prof. Masayuki Hirata Highlights ALS‑Supportive BCI Research on the International Podcast Strategy& Insider
This Strategy& Insider podcast episode highlights brain‑signal decoding (BCI) research aimed at supporting communication and motor recovery for ALS patients. The conversation between Prof. Hirata and the moderator explores how thoughts can be translated into text or actions, as well as the challenges and future prospects for clinical application.
Listen here →Apple Podcasts →Spotify →Corporate LinkedIn Channel →Dr.Thomas’s profile
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2026.01.13
Our research was featured in an Asahi Shimbun Digital article covering advances in AI and brain science technology: [AI Decoding the Mysteries of the Brain: Hope for Humanity or Threat to Mental Freedom?]
The Hirata Laboratory is advancing research in neurotechnology that combines AI with brainwave measurement to interpret the intentions of individuals unable to move their bodies due to conditions like ALS. We are developing assistive devices that acquire brain activity using electrode sheets directly attached to the brain, with AI analyzing these signals and outputting them as speech. We are aiming to apply for clinical trials for what would be Japan’s first implantable device, striving to realize a new means of communication for patients with impaired communication abilities.