Neuromorphic computing at scale.

Journal: Nature
PMID:

Abstract

Neuromorphic computing is a brain-inspired approach to hardware and algorithm design that efficiently realizes artificial neural networks. Neuromorphic designers apply the principles of biointelligence discovered by neuroscientists to design efficient computational systems, often for applications with size, weight and power constraints. With this research field at a critical juncture, it is crucial to chart the course for the development of future large-scale neuromorphic systems. We describe approaches for creating scalable neuromorphic architectures and identify key features. We discuss potential applications that can benefit from scaling and the main challenges that need to be addressed. Furthermore, we examine a comprehensive ecosystem necessary to sustain growth and the new opportunities that lie ahead when scaling neuromorphic systems. Our work distils ideas from several computing sub-fields, providing guidance to researchers and practitioners of neuromorphic computing who aim to push the frontier forward.

Authors

  • Dhireesha Kudithipudi
  • Catherine Schuman
    University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.
  • Craig M Vineyard
    Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
  • Tej Pandit
    University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
  • Cory Merkel
    Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA.
  • Rajkumar Kubendran
    University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
  • James B Aimone
    Data Driven and Neural Computing Group, Center for Computing Research, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1327.
  • Garrick Orchard
  • Christian Mayr
  • Ryad Benosman
  • Joe Hays
    U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA.
  • Cliff Young
    Google DeepMind, Mountain View, CA, USA.
  • Chiara Bartolozzi
    Event-Driven Perception for Robotics, Italian Institute of Technology, via San Quirico 19D, 16163, Genova, Italy.
  • Amitava Majumdar
    University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
  • Suma George Cardwell
    Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
  • Melika Payvand
    Institute of Neuroinformatics, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland. giacomo@ini.uzh.ch.
  • Sonia Buckley
    National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO, USA.
  • Shruti Kulkarni
    Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA.
  • Hector A Gonzalez
    SpiNNcloud Systems GmbH, Dresden, Germany.
  • Gert Cauwenberghs
  • Chetan Singh Thakur
  • Anand Subramoney
  • Steve Furber
    School of Computer Science, APT Group, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K. steve.furber@manchester.ac.uk.