FinalSpark’s Neuroplatform: the era of organic computing has begun!

Swiss startup FinalSpark has just launched its Neuroplatform, the world’s first commercial bioprocessor. This innovation promises to be a technological and energy revolution, with the potential to disrupt the field of artificial intelligence

 

FinalSpark’s Neuroplatform: A Radical Approach

What makes FinalSpark’s research groundbreaking is the fact that FinalSpark lab is fully accessible remotely, as a Neuroplatform. Researchers and companies from all over the world make experiments in FinalSpark’s lab in Vevey, using access through internet browser.

FinalSpark is one of three companies worldwide which try to use living neurons for computation. Neuroplatform uses human neurons grown in vitro, which are hoped to become an alternative to traditional silicon-based circuits.

This technology utilizes brain organoids —three-dimensional structures made from human neurons for fundamental research on computing. Placed onto multi-electrode arrays (MEA), these organoids form the core of FinalSpark’s Neuroplatform. Each MEA hosts up to four organoids, and the full platform can house up to 16 mini brains. This setup is an example of “wetware” architecture, blending biology, software, and hardware to create a new generation of so called bioprocessors.

 

 

Spectacular Energy Efficiency

One of FinalSpark’s most impressive claims is the dramatic reduction in energy consumption. As Fred Jordan, co-founder of FinalSpark, explains: “A human brain consumes roughly 20 watts to power 100 billion neurons, which collectively make about 10,000 connections. To simulate a human brain, you would need the energy output of a nuclear power plant. Bioprocessors could be up to a million times more energy-efficient than traditional silicon chips.”

This drastic reduction in energy costs opens up vast potential for industries requiring intensive computational power, such as AI.

But energy efficiency is just one side of the coin. The very structure of the organoids and their capacity to evolve and learn could offer opportunities that silicon simply cannot match.

 

Ethical Concerns and Technical Challenges

While this advancement holds great promise, it also raises ethical questions. If the bioprocessors become very potent, how should we regulate their use? Should we treat them the same way as digital computers, or should the fact of using living neurons as part of the hardware make a difference?

From a technical standpoint, challenges remain. FinalSpark acknowledges that maintaining the viability of organoids was initially difficult. “At first, the cells only survived for a few hours. Today, neurons can live for up to three months in operating conditions. When not in use, they can survive for several years,” says Fred Jordan, another co-founder.

Training these neurons to produce a useful response is another hurdle. “Right now, we can store up to 1 bit of information. Simple actions—like emitting a signal after receiving a stimulus—are also possible. These brain organoids are living entities that evolve. We use neurotransmitters like dopamine to reward circuits when they produce the desired result. We’re at the beginning of this journey, and the protocols still need to be invented,” explains Jordan.

 

Towards Bio-Compatible Computing

Although this technology is still in its infancy, the potential applications are vast. FinalSpark aims to introduce a bio-cloud computing network, powered by bioprocessors, within the next eight years. This network, besides being incredibly energy-efficient, could process complex calculations far more smoothly than current processors.

As Fred Jordan highlights, “The history of the transistor reminds us that technological innovations can far exceed initial expectations. In 1947, when the first transistor was invented, no one imagined it would become the foundation of the digital age, enabling devices like smartphones. It’s entirely possible that bioprocessors will follow a similar trajectory, with future applications that we can’t even begin to imagine.”

 

Collaborating on a New Industry

FinalSpark isn’t alone in this race. Two other startups, one in Australia and another in the United States, are also exploring the possibilities of biological computing. Together, these pioneers might be laying the groundwork for a new industry where the boundaries between biology and technology become increasingly blurred.

For now, access to the Neuroplatform remains limited. FinalSpark has opted for a subscription model, offering access to academic and industrial institutions.

 

➡️More Information: FinalSpark