Skip to comments.
Scientists to build 'brain box'
BBC ^
| 17 July 2006
| Unattributed
Posted on 07/23/2006 5:22:19 PM PDT by annie laurie
A new type of computer that mimics the complex interactions in the human brain is being built by UK scientists.
The £1m machine, nicknamed the "brain box", will be constructed at the University of Manchester.
The first of its kind in the world, it will be used to help researchers engineer fail-safe electronics.
Professor Steve Furber, of the university school of computer science, said computer science had much to learn from biological systems.
"Our brains keep working despite frequent failures of their component neurons, and this 'fault-tolerant' characteristic is of great interest to engineers who wish to make computers more reliable," he explained.
Visual encoding
In the brain, groups of neurons work together, producing bursts of activity called "spikes".
These spikes give rise to the characteristic brain wave patterns seen on an electroencephalogram (EEG) trace.
The "brain box" will use large numbers of microprocessors to model the way networks of neurons interact.
"Our aim is to use the computer to understand better how the brain works at the level of spike patterns, and to see if biology can help us see how to build computer systems that continue functioning despite component failures," said Prof Furber.
Another function of the computer will be to help scientists understand how details of complex visual scenes are encoded by the brain.
TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: brain; computers; failsafe; tech
To: AntiGuv
2
posted on
07/23/2006 5:22:38 PM PDT
by
annie laurie
(All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost)
To: annie laurie
3
posted on
07/23/2006 5:23:55 PM PDT
by
tet68
( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
To: annie laurie
If they only plan on spending £1,000,000 they've got a long way to go!
4
posted on
07/23/2006 5:26:56 PM PDT
by
editor-surveyor
(Atheist and Fool are synonyms; Evolution is where fools hide from the sunrise)
To: tet68
> Skynet ping.
Also alert Donovan and Forbin.
5
posted on
07/23/2006 5:30:19 PM PDT
by
Boundless
(Imagine if Fox had a news channel)
To: annie laurie
"Our brains keep working despite frequent failures of their component neurons, and this 'fault-tolerant' characteristic is of great interest to engineers who wish to make computers more reliable," he explained. That's been my theory for why the cortex and conciousness evolved.
6
posted on
07/23/2006 5:31:14 PM PDT
by
Moonman62
(The issue of whether cheap labor makes America great should have been settled by the Civil War.)
To: Boundless
Alerting Forbin would be a colossal mistake...
7
posted on
07/23/2006 5:32:57 PM PDT
by
null and void
(<----admits nothing, denies everything and makes counter accusations.)
To: annie laurie
8
posted on
07/23/2006 5:35:32 PM PDT
by
buccaneer81
(Bob Taft has soiled the family name for the next century.)
To: null and void
Alerting Forbin would be a colossal mistake...Guardian would disagree.
9
posted on
07/23/2006 5:37:28 PM PDT
by
buccaneer81
(Bob Taft has soiled the family name for the next century.)
To: annie laurie
"Our brains keep working despite frequent failures of their component neurons..."
To: annie laurie
Brain Box? Is that anything like a Think Tank?
11
posted on
07/23/2006 5:53:10 PM PDT
by
NaughtiusMaximus
(WARNING: Alcohol may cause you to think you are whispering when you are definitely not.)
To: PatrickHenry; b_sharp; neutrality; anguish; SeaLion; Fractal Trader; grjr21; bitt; KevinDavis; ...
| FutureTechPing! |
An emergent technologies list covering biomedical
research, fusion power, nanotech, AI robotics, and
other related fields. FReepmail to join or drop. |
|
|
|
12
posted on
07/23/2006 6:11:44 PM PDT
by
AntiGuv
("..I do things for political expediency.." - Sen. John McCain on FOX News)
To: tet68
Skynet ping. Colossus. Skynet was Colossus on steroids. Just Like V'ger was Nomad on steroids.
13
posted on
07/23/2006 6:18:58 PM PDT
by
freedumb2003
(A Conservative will die for individual freedom. A Liberal will kill you for the good of society.)
To: Moonman62
"Well ya see Norm, it's like this...A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first.
This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members."
"In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we all know, kills brain cells, but naturally it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first.
In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine."
"That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."
14
posted on
07/23/2006 6:27:18 PM PDT
by
rawcatslyentist
(I'd rather be carrying a shotgun with Dick, than riding shotgun with a Kennedyl! *-0(:~{>)
To: rawcatslyentist
LOL, I wish I would have thought of that!
15
posted on
07/23/2006 6:49:00 PM PDT
by
Moonman62
(The issue of whether cheap labor makes America great should have been settled by the Civil War.)
To: null and void
Alerting Forbin would be a colossal mistake... And then there's those pesky Martians to contend with! (from the two sequels to the original book, "Colossus, the Forbin Project".
16
posted on
07/23/2006 7:00:06 PM PDT
by
The Duke
(I have met the enemy, and he is named 'Apathy'!)
To: annie laurie
Dr.F: Would you mind telling me whose brain i did put in?
Igor: And you won't be angry?
Dr.F: I will not be angry!
Igor: Abbe...someone.
Dr.F: Abbe someone? Abbe who?
Igor: AbbeNormal.
Dr.F: AbbeNormal!
Igor: I'm almost sure that was the name.
Dr.F: Are you saying that i put an abnormal brain into a seven and a half foot long, 54 inch wide, gorilla? [hysterical, grabs Igor by neck and lifts up and down off the floor] Is that what you're telling me?
(a short while later)
Dr.F: We've all of us, got to behave normally!
17
posted on
07/23/2006 7:19:45 PM PDT
by
oyez
(The way to punish a providence is to allow it to be governed by philosophers. --Frederick the Great)
To: null and void
(WOLFGANG)
(muttering to himself)
Wenn dieser Bloder kerl sich nicht beeilt verde ich verruckt. Was zum Teufel machte?
18
posted on
07/23/2006 7:34:03 PM PDT
by
oyez
(The way to punish a providence is to allow it to be governed by philosophers. --Frederick the Great)
To: tet68
19
posted on
07/23/2006 7:58:29 PM PDT
by
ffusco
(Maecilius Fuscus,Governor of Longovicium , Manchester, England. 238-244 AD)
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson
