Cortical Labs has launched CL1, its commercial biological computer that combines lab-cultivated neurons from human stem cells with silicon technology. This innovative system is dubbed Synthetic Biological Intelligence (SBI), a neural network designed to be more advanced and sustainable than traditional AI.
The biological components are grown on a silicon chip, where they send and receive electrical impulses into the neural structure. These neurons are integrated into Cortical Labs’ Biological Intelligence Operating System (biOS) to run simulations. The system can also deploy code directly to the real neurons, which are self-programming, infinitely flexible, and have evolved over four billion years.
Key benefits of CL1 include minimal inputs and energy consumption, allowing for longer research timelines without animal testing. The devices are expected to be available in 2025, with units priced around $35,000 each. Cortical Labs is also offering the Cortical Cloud as a Wetware-as-a-Service (WaaS), enabling customers to remotely access and work with cultivated cells.
The CL1 is an upgraded version of DishBrain, which previously demonstrated the capabilities of biological computing. The company has secured $11 million in funding from investors including Horizons Ventures, Blackbird Ventures, and the CIA’s In-Q-Tel. With its innovative technology, Cortical Labs aims to democratize access to this innovation by making it accessible through the cloud.
Source: https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/australian-startup-cortical-labs-unveils-worlds-first-commercial-biological-computer