A groundbreaking supercomputer modelled after the human brain has recently been activated for its inaugural use. This high-tech computing machine, named the Spiking Neural Network Architecture or SpiNNaker, boasts a million-core processor, reach an impressive speed of over 200 million actions per second, and contains chips that each hold up to 100 million transistors.
The conception of the SpiNNaker machine took place roughly two decades ago, with construction starting in 2006. The supercomputer was proudly designed and built by the esteemed University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.
The Functionality of SpiNNaker
The principal working components of the human brain are biological neurons. These are basic cells that exist within the nervous system and send signals to one another via ‘spikes’ of electrochemical energy. Neuromorphic computing aims to emulate these spikes using electronic circuits in large-scale computer systems, essentially mimicking the biological architecture of our brains.
SpiNNaker is truly unique in its operation. Unlike traditional computers which send vast amounts of information from one point to another across a set network, SpiNNaker embodies the parallel communication structure of the brain. It achieves this by dispatching billions of tiny packets of information all at once to a myriad of different destinations.
Potential Applications of SpiNNaker
SpiNNaker’s capabilities will allow it to simulate a billion simple neurons or millions of complex ones, making it an invaluable tool for neuroscientists aiming to further their understanding of the human brain. SpiNNaker can run enormous real-time simulations that are simply unfeasible on other machines, providing unparalleled insights into brain dynamics.
In the medical sciences field, the supercomputer has already shown significant potential. For instance, it has been utilised to emulate the Basal Ganglia – the brain region often impacted by Parkinson’s disease. This application holds immense potential for scientific breakthroughs, especially in pharmaceutical testing.
Moreover, SpiNNaker has also been used to command a robot called the SpOmnibot. This robot uses SpiNNaker to process real-time visual information and navigate its environment, choosing to approach specific objects and ignore others.
The Human Brain Project and Biologically-Inspired Massively Parallel Computation
The Human Brain Project (HBP) is an ambitious venture aiming to construct a virtual representation of the human brain. Initiated in October 2013 and funded by the European Union, the HBP aims to provide an extensive research infrastructure to stimulate progress in neuroscience, medicine and computing.Meanwhile, the Biologically-Inspired Massively Parallel Computation (BIMPC) was a five-year endeavour that started in March 2013. This project, also funded by the European Union, aimed to employ neuromorphic platforms to develop models of brain subsystems and non-neural applications inspired by the architecture of the brain.The Future of Neuromorphic Computing. The evolution of the SpiNNaker machine seems to denote a radical shift in our understanding of both computation and neuroscience. By mimicking the human brain’s capacity for simultaneous data processing, machines like SpiNNaker provide a unique platform for exploring neural dynamics in real-time. With its prospective scientific and medical applications, this supercomputer presents a significant step forward in neuromorphic computing, marking an exciting new chapter in technology and neuroscience.
