Human brain inspires self-learning microchip

Neuroscience, microelectronics and computing — seemingly varied disciplines — have found a common intersection in the form of neuro-inspired computing.

This evolving field in computer engineering aims to emulate the human brain’s abilities for perception, action and cognition in our computer systems.

Neural systems provided inspiration for some of the earliest computing systems, but as the technology evolved it began to follow a different approach.

Assistant Professor Shimeng Yu is convinced that a radical shift back toward neuro-inspired architecture is needed in computer engineering.