[HN Gopher] The CL1: the first code deployable biological computer
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The CL1: the first code deployable biological computer
Author : sprawl_
Score : 32 points
Date : 2025-05-06 20:40 UTC (3 days ago)
(HTM) web link (corticallabs.com)
(TXT) w3m dump (corticallabs.com)
| dang wrote:
| This has been posted a few times recently and certainly looks
| intriguing, but as far as we can tell, there only there-there is
| a signup list.
|
| For a good HN thread, we should probably wait until the product
| is available--or at least for more information?
|
| Edit: looks like there was some sort of earlier discussion at:
|
| _Melbourne startup launches 'biological computer' made of human
| brain cells_ - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43261218 -
| March 2025 (37 comments)
|
| The comments are pretty generic, which is the sort of thread we
| get in the absence of more significant information, so I think
| waiting is probably the right call. Disagreement is welcome
| though!
| comrade1234 wrote:
| Sorry, gotta get home to feed my computer!
| andrewmcwatters wrote:
| Ah man, the computer wet the desk again...
| Garlef wrote:
| ... and ate my homework
| omneity wrote:
| "Real neurons" but whose neurons are they sourcing? And are all
| neurons born equal? Should we have a NeuronArena where people
| submit samples for eval?
|
| @dang, agreed that the product cannot be discussed on technical
| merits as of now, but I suggest some of the ancillary topics
| (irrelevant of their technical implementation) such as neuron
| sourcing might be worth opening.
| nine_k wrote:
| Since one batch of neurons is expected to survive "up to 6
| months", there should be a way to reload it with new neurons.
| So neuron sourcing should be a recurring concern. The site
| says: <<Real neurons are cultivated inside a nutrient rich
| solution, supplying them with everything they need to be
| healthy. They grow across a silicon chip>>; this seems to mean
| that replacing the neurons would require special skills and
| knowledge, and maybe even a service contract.
| throwanem wrote:
| See those three fluid inlets on the back in the render? Or
| what look a lot like quick-disconnect hose fittings, at
| least, and no wonder; this is among other things a life
| support system for brain tissue, and will minimally need to
| maintain hydration and exhaust waste. Operating the machine
| at all will certainly require engineering and environmental
| services only feasibly available in a professionally staffed
| and maintained laboratory.
|
| That is one of the reasons why the "buy" CTA dispatches to a
| contact form. They can and must vet potential customers.
| nine_k wrote:
| Yes, this is a given. I mean that replacing neurons may
| require a specific knowledge of this machine, and
| procedures unique to it.
|
| If I were to create such a machine, I'd make the whole top
| part replaceable, with the bottom part electronic-only.
| When your neuron culture runs its course, you detach the
| top part and ship it back to the maker, and buy a new one,
| with a fresh culture, at a discount. They recycle the top
| parts by cleaning them and re-populating them with new
| neurons. The sourcing liability is on them, as is quality
| control.
| genpfault wrote:
| > the first code deployable biological computer
|
| First? C'mon, Anodyne was doing this back in the mid-80s[1]!
|
| [1]:
| https://www.mysteryfleshpitnationalpark.com/post/63769988673...
| throwanem wrote:
| Hey, I recognize that robot! That was the Heathkit, wasn't it?
| andrewmcwatters wrote:
| Isn't it weird that they don't actually show what you can do with
| it?
|
| I mean, I guess they have some capabilities mentioned in papers a
| few pages back in their website, but it doesn't pass the skink
| test of, "OK, show me how it works."
|
| IDK, give me an actual code snippet right on the front page, or
| shut up.
|
| I'm obviously not the target audience, but their marketing is
| aligned with the sort of "we made this look pretty because we
| want as many people remotely interested as possible to buy this
| thing."
|
| Otherwise it could have been a lot more plain, and people seeking
| out this sort of technology would have found it.
| InsideOutSanta wrote:
| From the website:
|
| _> In vitro neurons learn and exhibit sentience when embodied in
| a simulated gameworld_
|
| I can't tell if this whole thing is an art project or a real
| product.
| fuentesjr wrote:
| Also covered in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txtDpCLHUkU
| WorkerBee28474 wrote:
| We got bio-neural gel packs before GTA 6. Or Half Life 3.
| Aaronstotle wrote:
| Very interesting, I had to re-read it a few times to make sure it
| was real and not some elaborate prank. I actually wrote a
| Philosophy paper where there was a computer that had a biological
| component, and this is almost exactly what I had in mind, very
| neat to see that there is a company out there making it.
| smrtinsert wrote:
| What in the black mirror...
| Proofread0592 wrote:
| Can't wait for the inevitable "this blog is hosted on human brain
| cells" HN post when someone actually gets their hands on one of
| these.
| jarbus wrote:
| I can't tell how much computing power this machine has
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