Introduction to Cortical Labs’ Innovative Technology

Cortical Labs is offering a unique product – a brain in a box, priced at approximately $35,000. This cutting-edge technology allows users to teach the brain to perform various tasks. For those who find the cost prohibitive, the company offers a ‘Wetware-as-a-Service’ option, enabling users to rent bio-computer processing power from a rack of living tissues integrated with machines, all accessible in the cloud.

The CL1 Computer: A Novel Bio-Computer System

Cortical Labs has been developing this computer for six years and has detailed its features in an interview with New Atlas. The computer, called the CL1, is already available for order, with shipments scheduled for later this year. The CL1 is powered by lab-grown neurons placed on a planar electrode array, which is essentially made of metal and glass. The lab-made brain is connected to 59 electrodes that create a stable neural network, all plugged into a life-support unit and proprietary software system.

The Inner Workings of the CL1

According to Cortical Labs’ CEO, Hon Weng Chong, the machine includes pumps, waste management, feeding reservoirs, filtration units, and a gas mixer to maintain a stable environment for the neurons. This complex system is designed to support the growth and function of the lab-grown neurons.

Marketing and Applications of the CL1

The marketing of the CL1 on the Cortical Labs website is notable for its morbid tone. The website describes how real neurons are cultivated inside a nutrient-rich solution and grow across a silicon chip, which sends and receives electrical impulses into the neural structure. The company’s Biological Intelligence Operating System (biOS) creates a simulated world for the neurons, sending information about their environment and allowing them to react and affect their simulated world.

Potential Applications and Competitors

Cortical Labs has demonstrated the potential of the CL1 by teaching an early version of the system to play Pong. The company claims that the CL1 can match or exceed the performance of digital AI systems. With multiple units, researchers can conduct experiments to understand the drivers of intelligence and explore applications in drug discovery and disease modeling. Other researchers, such as a team at the University of Reading, are also pushing the boundaries of bio-computer technology, teaching alternative systems, like an ionic electroactive polymer hydrogel, to play Pong.

Conclusion and Future Prospects

The CL1 is a high-performance, closed-loop system where real neurons interact with software in real-time, with a robust environment that can sustain the wetware machine for up to 6 months. The cloud version of the system supports a range of USB devices, making it a plug-and-play solution. As Cortical Labs and other researchers continue to advance the field of bio-computer technology, we can expect to see new and innovative applications of this technology in the future.