SiliconBurmuin brings together a Basque consortium of neuroscience, AI and microelectronics experts to develop neuromorphic chips that mimic biological perception and drive the region’s leadership in energy‑efficient, next‑generation AI processors.(Autor: Sergio Uriarte)
SliconBurmuin brings together a multidisciplinary consortium coordinated by IKERLAN with knowledge in different areas such as: neuroscience, mathematics, microelectronics and AI, including several institutions and organisations such as: UPV/EHU (departments of Computer Architecture and Technology and Electronic Technology), Vicomtech, CAF R&D, the GAIA Cluster, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, BCBL (Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language), BCAM (Basque Center for Applied Mathematics) and IIS BioBizkaia.
AI sensors and processors have been made due to the gross strength approach encouraged by the sector in the design of its architecture and operation: acquiring and processing large volumes of data. This approach involves high energy consumption and processing time, generating limited useful information. In contrast, neuromorphic sensors and processors mimic the efficiency of biological perception systems (mainly vision, and to a lesser extent hearing, touch, smell and taste), to acquire and process only relevant data, significantly reducing energy consumption and processing time compared to brute-force-based AI processors.
SiliconBurmuin initiative
SiliconBurmuin’s main scientific and technological objective is to research and convert neuroscience knowledge into neuromorphic technology and intellectual property (IP) that can be adopted in the next generations of AI chips to meet the most demanding needs of the industry. Initially, the focus is on vision applications for autonomous train navigation and early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The initiative is backed by the Basque Government, and is complemented by the Basque Microelectronics Hub (BMH).
In addition, SiliconBurmuin aims to generate benefits for Basque industry and society:
- Strengthening the strategic position of the Basque Country in the semiconductor sector through the creation of technology companies dedicated to commercially exploiting the neuromorphic IP generated at SiliconBurmuin.
- Demonstrating the potential of neuromorphic chips and generating competitive advantages in key sectors of the Basque economy.
The budget for the first part of the project has been 2M€ and it ends in March 2025. As the consortium’s member organisations underline, with the global neuromorphic technology market projected to be worth $8 billion by 2034, SiliconBurmuin offers a unique opportunity to position the Basque Country as a leader in technological innovation, ahead of the neuromorphic AI era.
