Neurosynaptic chips are the building blocks for cognitive systems. The Von Neumann architecture served us good so far but is inadequate to solve the problems of the future. We do not just need computers to process big data, we need computer to help us understand the information. Dr. Dharmendra S. Modha, in August 2011, demonstrated a new silicon neurosynaptic chip that allows for computing systems that emulate the brain’s computing efficiency, size and power usage. All this is part of the SyNAPSE (Systems of Neuromorphic Adaptive Plastic Scalable Electronics) project.
IBM has also built a new programming language and a new software ecosystem that supports the full software development lifecycle. The new generation of applications will mimic the brain’s abilities for perception, action and cognition.
The new chips will allow the creation of many interesting applications including autonomous robots. I am wondering how far IBM is for creating the first artificial life with self -awareness.