Cortical Labs, an Australian biomimetic technology startup, has made a significant leap forward in the field of biomimetic computing with the release of its new device, CL1. This breakthrough technology is a major leap as compared to the company’s prior, DishBrain. The CL1 utilizes lab-grown human brain cells to create an advanced information processing device that has attracted significant interest from universities, startups, and government groups.
The CL1’s looking glass onboard life-support system is an achievement in itself. It protects the brain cells, making them remain viable for six months. This system supplies essential nutrients, controls temperature, filters waste, and maintains fluid balance, creating an optimal environment for the neurons. The CL1 features 59 inputs, a vast increase from the eight inputs implemented in DishBrain. With a latency of less than one millisecond — down from five milliseconds — it’s set to dramatically enhance the functionality of the neurocomputational devices we’re developing.
Technological Advancements
Cortical Labs’ CL1 houses an astounding 800,000 lab-grown human neurons. These neurons are derived in vitro from the skin or blood samples from real adult human donors. This exciting development creates opportunities for deeper, richer, more interactive calculations and experiences than previously possible. The neurons are integrated on a silicon chip, creating a powerful computing platform that can be used in various applications.
The CL1 is purpose-built for varied, transformative applications from drug discovery to neurocomputation, AI acceleration—and yes, even Bitcoin mining. As the first commercially available biomimetic computer, it has expanded the horizons of what neuromorphic computing can achieve.
“On one view, [the CL1] could be regarded as the first commercially available biomimetic computer, the ultimate in neuromorphic computing that uses real neurons,” – Karl Friston.
Cortical Labs has experienced a large wave of interest for the CL1 from academia, biotech, art and creative sectors. The company’s subsequent fundraising rounds have brought in more than $11 million from worldwide investors, highlighted the blue-sky potential of this technology.
Power Consumption and Performance
A 48CL1 unit rack uses just 850 to 1,000 watts of power. This impressive efficiency makes it the perfect solution for the most demanding high-performance computing workloads. The upgraded device features lower latency and higher input count. For the first time, researchers can study complex neurological processes and even experiment on real neuronal circuits in a dynamic and impactful way.
Brett Kagan, CSO and co-founder of Cortical Labs, is a passionate proponent for using this technology responsibly. He states, “We don’t want somebody without the skills, capability, or safety.” He cautions against unauthorized experimentation, adding that “it’s not something you should be doing in your garage.”
Future Implications
The CL1’s implications reach far beyond computing. Researchers are now able to do experiments that in the past were just too hard or too impossible to study. Kagan says the device gives scientists a powerful tool to test out complex computations. It enables them to explore how neuronal circuits learn and adapt, in a closed-loop configuration.
“It allows people to study the effects of stimulation, drugs, and synthetic lesions on how neuronal circuits learn and respond in a closed-loop setup,” – Karl Friston.
This new discovery marks a significant breakthrough in the field of neuroscience. The ability to manipulate and study brain cells in a controlled environment opens new avenues for understanding complex brain functions and developing therapeutic strategies.