The developing success of the SpiNNaker project has led
to researchers at the University being invited to partner in
a large European Union-funded programme called 'The
Human Brain Project', which is seeking a deeper
understanding of the human brain for neuro-scientific,
medical and computing applications. A key part of this is
the neuromorphic computer platform which builds
computer hardware inspired by the brain.
SpiNNaker is a good target for researchers in robotics,
who need mobile, low-power computation. A small
SpiNNaker board makes it possible to simulate a network
of tens of thousands of neurons, process sensory input
and generate motor output, all in real-time and in a
low-power system. SpiNNaker also offers the potential to
discover powerful new principles of parallel computation.
When the technology is ready the University has a spin-out
company (Cogniscience) ready to take it to market.
Cogniscience already holds the intellectual property and is
seeing signs of commercial interest.
http://apt.cs.man.ac.uk/projects/SpiNNaker/
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Why Manchester?
Chart illustrates the factors that influenced the SpiNNaker programme
Understanding how the brain works is a 'grand
challenge' of 21st century science. We will
provide the platform to help neuroscientists to
unravel the mystery that is the mind. The largest
SpiNNaker machine will be capable of simulating
a billion simple neurons, or millions of neurons
with complex structures and internal dynamics.
Steve Furber is exploring ways computers can emulate
the decision-making ability of the human brain
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