Scientists to Build 'Brain Box' 187
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.'"
Fuber? (Score:2, Funny)
Testing for fault tolerance (Score:5, Funny)
Inter-neuron Communication (Score:2, Funny)
Maybe it doesn't want to be unplugged (Score:5, Funny)
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.
Re:Testing for fault tolerance (Score:2, Funny)
Fail-Safe (Score:3, Funny)
So I guess it's safe to say they won't be using Windows?
Just like a real brain (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Inter-neuron Communication (Score:1, Funny)
Re:some amusing calculations (Score:3, Funny)
Here I am, brain the size of a planet, and they ask me to simulte a human mind. Call that job satisfaction, 'cause I don't...