Cortical Labs CL1

Creating the world’s first commercial biological computer required addressing complex design and engineering challenges across biology, hardware, and usability. The project called for a system capable of sustaining lab-grown human neurons over months, enabling real-time closed-loop interaction with digital environments, and allowing researchers to deploy code directly to living cells. This involved managing biological containment, fluid dynamics, sterile component handling, and ensuring interface usability in research settings. The system needed to support high-density electrophysiological recording and stimulation, function autonomously without external compute, and meet the technical demands of Synthetic Biological Intelligence experimentation.

CL1 was developed through a six-year collaboration to transition a scientific prototype into a scalable product. D+I defined the product architecture, internal systems layout, and usability to support real-world research environments. Key outcomes included a modular enclosure, closed-loop fluid management system with temperature and gas regulation, and sterile, single-use consumables. A capacitive touchscreen interface was developed for real-time monitoring and control. Major challenges included maintaining neural viability, integrating digital-biological interfaces, and enabling reliable bi-directional stimulation. The final system balances biological function with manufacturability, supporting code deployment to neurons via a self-contained, plug-and-play research platform.

CL1 enables researchers to deploy code directly to living human neurons for the first time, unlocking new frontiers in AI, drug discovery, and disease modelling. It eliminates the need for specialised lab infrastructure via cloud access, offers a scalable alternative to animal testing, and consumes a fraction of the energy of conventional systems. The product’s commercialisation establishes a new market for Synthetic Biological Intelligence, with a self-contained, user-friendly design that bridges experimental science and real-world application—delivering measurable scientific, ethical, and environmental benefits.

Hardware & System Architecture: No external compute required: All processing, control, and data handling is embedded within the CL1 unit. Modular enclosure: Designed for desktop or rack-mounted use; rack configurations support 30+ units under 1kW total power. Capacitive touchscreen interface: Enables local control, system monitoring, and live data visualisation via biOS. Plug-and-play peripheral support: USB, cameras, and actuators for expanded use in diverse experimental workflows. Electrode architecture with active charge balancing: Preserves neural health and ensures stable long-term recordings. Neural & Biological Integration: Self-contained life support: Closed-loop system regulates temperature, gas mix (CO₂, O₂, N₂), fluid exchange, and waste filtration. Single-use sterile tube sets: Simplify setup, prevent contamination, and ensure repeatable results. Uses iPSC-derived human and rodent neurons cultured on planar MEAs for structured, embodied computing. Software & Cloud Capabilities: Programmable bi-directional neural interface: High-density arrays enable real-time stimulation and readout. Supports embodiment via biOS: Neural cultures interact with dynamic simulated environments. Demonstrated learning via active inference: Neurons adapt to tasks using structured feedback. Cortical Cloud platform: Remote experiment execution via Python SDK and browser-based tools (e.g., Jupyter). Supports patient-specific neural modelling: Enables personalised, animal-free disease and drug response studies.