Singapore- and Australia-based Cortical Labs, which develops a new class of artificial intelligence using human neurons, has launched the CL1, the world’s first commercial biological computer, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
This innovative technology fuses lab-cultivated neurons from human stem cells with hard silicon to create Synthetic Biological Intelligence (SBI), a more advanced and sustainable form of AI.
The CL1 presents vast opportunities in medical sciences and the technology sector. It aims to enhance drug discovery and testing, improve personalised medicine, and aid in early disease detection.
The CL1 can grow, adapt, and learn faster than purely silicon-based AI while consuming less energy. This could lead to greater automation, reduced energy consumption, and advancements beyond today’s Large Language Models (LLMs), offering new possibilities for autonomy in fields such as robotics.
Also Read: Cortical Labs, the startup behind DishBrain, closes US$10M financing round
Dr Hon Weng Chong, founder and CEO of Cortical Labs, stated that the CL1 is the culmination of a six-year vision to democratise this technology, making it accessible to researchers without specialised hardware and software.
Key features of the CL1:
- Available individually or in racks containing 30 units, each rack requires only 850 to 1,000 watts of energy.
- Fully programmable bi-directional stimulation and read interface, tailored for neural communication and network learning.
- An integrated system providing a perpetual embodiment of neural cultures within a custom perfusion life support system.
- Integrated development environment for rapid experimental iteration and applications.
Python API for simple, real-time applications, giving the user full control. - Touchscreen enabled to visualise system status, view live data, or run pre-packaged assays.
- Contained unit that does not require an external computer to operate; all recordings, applications, and life support are on the device.
Units and racks of the CL1 will be manufactured to order and shipped to specialised laboratories and facilities with cell-growing capabilities before the end of Q2. Cortical Labs also offers wetware-as-a-service (WaaS), enabling remote access to cultivated cells via the cloud for application development.
In 2022, Cortical Labs’s neurons learned to play Pong, demonstrating synthetic biological intelligence through rapid learning and goal-directed behaviour when embedded in a simulated game environment. The neurons physically grow across a silicon chip with pins that send and receive electrical impulses, creating a high-bandwidth connection between an organic neural network and a digital world. The Biological Intelligence Operating System (biOS) constructs their reality by sending information via electrical signals and converting neuron activity into actions.
In April 2023, Cortical Labs closed a US$10 million financing round led by Hong Kong-based Horizons Ventures. The round also saw participation from LifeX Ventures, Blackbird Ventures, In-Q-Tel, and Radar Ventures.
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