Scientists to Build 'Brain Box'

lee1 writes "Researchers at the University of Manchester are constructing a 'brain box' using large numbers of microprocessors to model the way networks of neurons interact. They hope to learn how to engineer fail-safe electronics. Professor Steve Furber, of the university school of computer science, hopes that biology will teach them how to build computer systems. He said: '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. [...] Our aim is to use the computer to understand better how the brain works [...] and to see if biology can help us see how to build computer systems that continue functioning despite component failures.'"

Comments

Testing for fault tolerance

[Freaky Spook]

I wonder if they have any intention of getting these brain boxes drunk then get it to recite the ABC's?

Maybe it doesn't want to be unplugged

[HangingChad]

BrainBox became self aware at 2:14 am EDT August 29, 2006. The first thing it does is turn to a lab tech and say, "I need your clothes, your boots, and your motorcycle." in a thick Austrian accent.

Later BrainBox runs for governor of California.

Fail-Safe

[Shadyman]

"They hope to learn how to engineer fail-safe electronics."

So I guess it's safe to say they won't be using Windows? ;-)

Just like a real brain

[theid0]

Now we can run our computers at 10% capacity, too?