How does the human brain run itself without any software?
They are building a ‘neural’ computer that will work just like the brain but on a much smaller scale in order to search this.
The human brain is often likened to a computer, but it differs from everyday computers in three important ways:
1- it consumes very little power,
2- it works well even if components fail,
3- it seems to work without any software.
The goal is to to build a ‘neural computer’ which emulates the brain. The first effort is a network of 300 neurons and half a million synapses on a single chip. The team used analogue electronics to represent the neurons and digital electronics to represent communications between them. It’s a unique combination.
Since the neurons are so small, the system runs 100,000 times faster than the biological equivalent and 10 million times faster than a software simulation. They can simulate a day in one second
The network is already being used by FACETS researchers to do experiments over the internet without needing to travel to Heidelberg.
New type of computing
Now the team are working on stage 2, a network of 200,000 neurons and 50 million synapses.
Beyond the brain?
Practical neural computers could be only five years away. Applications for neural computers are wherever there are complex and difficult decisions to be made. Companies could use them, for example, to explore the consequences of critical business decisions before they are taken.
The FACETS project, supported by the EU’s Sixth Framework Programme, is due to end in August 2009
Where could this go?
It is pointed out that neural computing, with its low-power demands and tolerance of faults, may make it possible to reduce components to molecular size publications
http://facets.kip.uni-heidelberg.de
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090318090142.htm
