Cortical Labs is building two data centres that will house its neuron-filled chips. The technology is still in the very early stages of development.

Data centres use huge amounts of energy and chips are in high demand – could brain cells be the answer? Australia-based start-up Cortical Labs has announced it is building two “biological” data centres in Melbourne and Singapore, stacked with the same neuron-filled chips that it has demonstrated can play Pong or Doom.

Cortical Labs is one of a few companies developing biological computers, consisting of neuronal cells wired up to microelectrode arrays that can stimulate and measure the response of cells when fed data. Earlier this month, the firm demonstrated that its flagship computer, the CL1, could learn to play the game Doom in a week.