Biocomputer powered by 800,000 human neurons that plays Pong

Germany’s first neuron-based biological computer, the CL1, developed by Australian startup Cortical Labs Germany, was unveiled at the Fraunhofer IPA’s Biointelligence Summit. The CL1 integrates 800,000 human neurons with silicon chips to create a synthetic biological intelligence system capable of processing information in real time. Building on the experimental DishBrain platform, which used human and mouse neurons to play the game Pong, CL1 sustains living neurons on a microelectrode array embedded in a nutrient-rich solution, allowing them to adapt, learn, and perform goal-directed tasks. The system operates independently without needing an external computer, consumes 850-1,000 watts of power, and is expected to be commercially available in the second half of 2025 at a price of around USD 35,000. The CL1 biocomputer represents a significant advancement by combining living neural tissue with AI processing, offering potential applications in disease modeling, drug discovery, adaptive robotics, and pharmaceutical research. However,