Cortical Labs, an Australia-based biotechnology company, has released the CL1, the world’s first code-deployable biological computer powered by lab-grown human neurons. Available at a price of $35,000, the machine combines living neural networks with silicon hardware for real-time interaction between biological and digital systems.
At the core of the CL1 machine are approximately 800,000 human neurons, grown in a nutrient solution across a custom silicon substrate. These neurons communicate directly with the system’s Biological Intelligence Operating System (biOS) which provides a digital environment that sends and receives stimuli from the neural network, and respond, adapt, and shape outcomes over time—forming a closed-loop system capable of dynamic learning.
The device includes an integrated life-support module to sustain neurons for up to six months, a touchscreen for system monitoring and visualization, and native support for external peripherals like USB devices, cameras, and actuators. All compute, recording, and stimulation functions are self-contained on the device, with no external processing required. Researchers can also interface with the CL1 via the Cortical Cloud and API for broader integration and data management.
It can be seen as a programmable and ethical alternative to animal testing, enabling the study of neural behavior, disease mechanisms, and compound effects on cognition using real human data. Cortical Labs emphasizes the ethical sourcing of its neurons from approved cell lines and requires proper lab conditions and approvals for deployment.
Energy-efficiency is key, consuming a fraction of the power typical AI hardware requires. This low-power operation, alongside long neuron viability, enables longer research cycles with reduced environmental impact. It’s primarily aimed for searched in biomedical science, drug discovery, AI, and neuroscience, offering a programmable and ethical alternative to animal testing, enabling the study of neural behavior, disease mechanisms, and compound effects on cognition using real human data.
Cortical Labs emphasizes the ethical sourcing of its neurons from approved cell lines and requires proper lab conditions and approvals for deployment. This new machine can be a foundation for a new generation of hybrid computing. Future systems are expected to scale from hundreds of thousands of neurons to millions, unlocking new possibilities in synthetic biology, intelligence, and next-generation machine learning.
Learn more about Cortical Labs’ new innovative biotech inventions here.
