Every year, nearly 100 million people worldwide sustain traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries, costing the global economy £350 billion. This project will develop non-invasive brain-computer interfaces that use immersive 3D environments and artificial intelligence to help patients recover after neurosurgery or neurotrauma. The technology aims to boost the nervous system’s natural ability to repair itself, without requiring surgery or implants. The problem is stark: access to rehabilitation expertise and technology is scarce in lower-income settings, leaving many patients without effective recovery options. Current BCI systems are often expensive, complex, and impractical for widespread use. This collaboration between Malaysian and UK teams—spanning neuroscience, neurosurgery, engineering, and computer science—targets that gap by building a prototype that is affordable and applicable globally. If successful, this research could transform neurorehabilitation in resource-limited hospitals and clinics, where advanced therapy is currently unavailable. The project also establishes a sustainable international partnership for ongoing skill exchange and innovation. While the immediate goal is a working prototype, the network’s capacity-building and training efforts lay groundwork for future large-scale trials and wider clinical adoption.
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Every year, traumatic injury to the brain and spinal cord (neurotrauma) affects almost 100 million people world-wide and costs the global economy £350 billion. This project aims to develop brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies that use immersive three-dimensional and artificial intelligence (AI) systems that can assist recovery in patients after neurosurgery and neurotrauma. Our approach is non-invasive and focuses on improving the nervous system’s natural ability to restore function after injury. By creating an interdisciplinary collaboration between Malaysian and UK research teams, we will leverage expertise in neuroscience, neurosurgery, neurorehabilitation, engineering, and computer science to advance this innovative technology. The network will focus on transferring knowledge, skills, and technical capabilities in global BCI development, fostering partnerships that can conduct high-impact research. The goal is to develop a prototype that could be affordable and applicable to global populations, which could significantly improve recovery outcomes in patients. This project addresses the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3—Good Health and Well-being—by targeting neurorehabilitation, a crucial healthcare challenge globally, particularly in lower-income settings where access to rehabilitation expertise and technology is often lacking. Through workshops, collaborative meetings, and training, this network will build capacity, develop talent, and pave the way for future large-scale funding opportunities. By the end of the grant, we aim to establish a sustainable partnership that fosters the ongoing exchange of skills and innovation between Malaysia and the UK.
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