IBM Unveils Neurosynaptic Chip

The world of technology is definitely moving at an extremely fast pace, so much so that our computers have now shrunk to unimaginably small form factors – sizes that just one generation ago, it would not have been thought of as possible even. Well, researchers recently revealed a brand new processor that is roughly the size of that of a postage stamp, and yet it packs enough punch in its circuitry to deliver “supercomputer” performance thanks to a process that mimics that of the human brain.

Known as a “neurosynaptic” chip, this is a specific breakthrough which will blow open a new range of computing possibilities, where we could see smarter self-driving cars all the way to an actual artificial intelligence system which will see action on a smartphone.

The group of researchers hail from IBM, Cornell Tech and other worldwide collaborators, and they decided to approach this situation from a different manner, ditching all knowledge of previous computer architecture, by making the leap into what they call “cognitive computing.” The human’s cerebral cortex is what inspired this new “neurosynaptic” chip.

What makes this new chip all the more amazing is the extremely low amount of energy required to run – it will require the equivalent energy of a hearing-aid battery, now how about that for future forward?

Edwin Kee
Categories: Computers
Tags: ibm