Scientists Australian company Cortical Labs built a new type of computer called the CL1, New Atlas reports.
This computer uses human brain cells mixed with silicon hardware. This computer is the first of its kind available to buy. Cortical Labs announced CL1 in Barcelona on March 2, 2025. Other news outlets like Tom's Hardware, TechSpot, and ABC New Australia have covered the launch of the CL1.
The CL1 runs on Synthetic Biological Intelligence, or SBI for short. SBI means combining living cells with tech to make a smart system.
Regular computers use only silicon chips. The CL1, though, grows human brain cells on these chips. These cells form neural networks. This setup lets the computer learn fast and adapt to new tasks. The company claims it outdoes traditional artificial intelligence, or AI, in speed and flexibility.
A basic but effective brain model
The CL1 needs less power than typical AI systems. Our brains use about 20 watts, like a dim light bulb. Big AI setups can use millions of watts. The CL1’s low energy use makes it more sustainable. It could change how we do science and medicine. Researchers might use it to test drugs or study the brain. It’s not fully ready yet, but people can buy it starting later in 2025.
Cortical Labs first got attention in 2022. Back then, they made a system with 800,000 brain cells play Pong. That showed how powerful this idea could be. Now, the CL1 takes it further. The company wants to find the simplest brain-like system possible. They call this the Minimal Viable Brain. It’s about making a basic but effective brain model.
This tech mixes biology and machines in a new way. Some wonder about its limits and ethics. Still, the CL1 offers a fresh path for computing. It blends human cells with silicon to create something unique. Scientists and companies will soon explore its full potential. This could lead to breakthroughs we can’t even imagine yet.