Postage-stamp size ‘neurosynaptic’ computer chip mimics the human brain

[unhappycamper]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/08/08/postage-stamp-size-neurosynaptic-computer-chip-mimics-the-human-brain/

Postage-stamp size ‘neurosynaptic’ computer chip mimics the human brain
By Agence France-Presse
Friday, August 8, 2014 12:37 EDT

Researchers Thursday unveiled a powerful new postage-stamp size chip delivering supercomputer performance using a process that mimics the human brain.

The so-called “neurosynaptic” chip is a breakthrough that opens a wide new range of computing possibilities from self-driving cars to artificial intelligence systems that can installed on a smartphone, the scientists say.

The researchers from IBM, Cornell Tech and collaborators from around the world said they took an entirely new approach in design compared with previous computer architecture, moving toward a system called “cognitive computing.”

“We have taken inspiration from the cerebral cortex to design this chip,” said IBM chief scientist for brain-inspired computing, Dharmendra Modha, referring to the command center of the brain.

[goldent]

1. This is interesting, but this kind of stuff has been done in software for years

The whole "digital organism/evolution" research has been very disappointing to me, and make me believe there is something fundamental we don't understand about evolution.

[DetlefK]

2. Yes, but this was emulations of an NN running on a conventional architecture.

With these chips, the neuronal network has a direct complement in the hardware.