The CL1, a new commercial PC that is said to be the world’s first to run on living human brain cells (i.e., neurons), is now available for purchase for $35,000, according to a website designed and launched by Cortical Labs, the team of scientists behind what’s been described as the first in a new generation of biological computers.
See below for some of the marketing text from the company, which, while piquing curiosity with phrases that include “connect directly to the brain,” “raised in a simulation,” and “silicon meets neuron,” does not go so far as to confirm whether it can run Crysis or not:
The world’s first code deployable biological computer. Real neurons are cultivated inside a nutrient rich solution, supplying them with everything they need to be healthy. They grow across a silicon chip, which sends and receives electrical impulses into the neural structure.
The world the neurons exist in is created by our Biological Intelligence Operating System [biOS]. It runs a simulated world and sends information directly to the neurons about their environment. As the neurons react, their impulses affect their simulated world.
We bring these neurons to life, and integrate them into the biOS with a mixture of hard silicon and soft tissue. You get to connect directly to these neurons. Deploy code directly to the real neurons, and solve today’s most difficult challenges.
The neuron is self programming, infinitely flexible, and the result of four billion years of evolution. What digital AI models spend tremendous resources trying to emulate, we begin with. Programmable organic neural networks, born on a silicon chip and living inside a digital world. Push the boundaries of synthetic biology and intelligence.
Additional features and details that Cortical Labs has posted for the CL1 include:
- Closed-loop: High-performance closed-loop system where real neurons interact with software in real time. A robust environment keeps neurons alive for up to 6 months.
- Self-contained: All recordings, applications and life support are on the device. No external compute required.
- Plug & Play: Simply plug in cameras, USB devices, actuators and more to the Cortical Cloud for use in experiments.
- Programmable bi-directional stimulation and read interface to enable neural communication and network learning.
- Touchscreen enabled to quickly visualize system status, view live data or run pre-packaged assays.
- Highly extensible. Easily connect the CL1 to external systems via USB and ports for broader testing.
- Animal-free testing: The CL1 is the first biological computer enabling medical and research labs to test how real neurons process information – offering an ethically superior alternative to animal testing while delivering more relevant human data and insights.
- Deeper Learning: Study brain function with unprecedented clarity through biological computing that captures neural adaptability and learning in real-time, revealing disease mechanisms and compound effects on cognition.
- Sustainable – Low power, to the extreme: Designed to keep neurons alive for up to 6 months with its internal life support system, the CL1 needs minimal inputs and a fraction of energy other technologies use, enabling longer research timelines.
“As pioneers in biological computing, we’re the first team to demonstrate real-world applications, and even taught neurons to play Pong,” Cortical Labs noted on its About page. “Our work goes beyond technological achievement—we’re building computing architectures that dramatically reduce energy consumption while creating tools to accelerate medical research, eliminate animal testing, and improve human health for all.”
“Our technology merges biology with traditional computing to create the ultimate learning machine,” the team continued. “Creating what others only imagined: the world’s first code-deployable biological computer. Real neurons are grown directly on our custom chips, creating an intelligence that learns intuitively, with remarkable efficiency. Unlike traditional AI, our neural systems require minimal energy and training data to master complex tasks. This isn’t just a new computer. It’s computing, reimagined.”