SpiNNaker – enabling brain-inspired AI

Impact: Economic, Technological

Narrative

University of Manchester research within the Department of Computer Science led to the creation of SpiNNaker – a novel computer chip architecture. SpiNNaker has had extensive impact on the domain of brain-inspired computing. A novel computer chip, computer architecture and software stack were developed, enabling:
● Economic impact via sales of 10 boards to non-academic and 39 to academic institutions worldwide, generating royalties of GBP150,714 to Cogniscience Ltd.
● New business activities for MindTrace Ltd (which relies on SpiNNaker). MindTrace received GBP1.3Million from Advanced Digital Ventures and Mercia Technologies (through the Northern Powerhouse Fund), creating 6 jobs in Manchester.
● The creation of approximately 22 jobs in Germany, due to a EUR8Million investment by the Saxony government.
Impact date1 Aug 201331 Jul 2020
Category of impactEconomic, Technological
Impact levelAdoption

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

  • Institute for Data Science and AI