CL1 Biological Computer by Cortical Labs: status and timeline

Milestones

Next · Singapore DayOne biological data centre launches with 20 CL1 units

DishBrain research system (proof of concept)2022Complete.
CL1 prototype under development with Australian government support2025Complete.
CL1 announced at $35,000 per unitMar 2025Complete.
CL1 units shipped to first customersJun 2025Complete.
Melbourne biological data centre with 120 CL1 units operationalApr 2026Complete.
Singapore DayOne biological data centre launches with 20 CL1 unitsTarget Aug 2026Current milestone.

Most important updates

Upcoming

Aug 2026Singapore DayOne biological data centre launches with 20 CL1 units (next)

Current obstacles

Neuron lifespan limits commercial useNeurons live 6 months to a year before degradation, requiring frequent replacement. Extending lifespan is key to reducing operational costs.
Scaling beyond 800,000 neuronsMaintaining health and control over larger populations of neurons is difficult. Bigger networks are needed for more complex problems.

Physics limits

Biological complexity is harder to predict than siliconLiving neurons have inherent variability and plasticity that makes their behaviour less deterministic than transistors, making reproducibility a challenge.
Bioreactor scaling has physical limitsKeeping many neurons alive requires precise control of nutrients, waste, temperature and electrical stimulation, which becomes exponentially harder at larger scales.

How it works

4 parts

Neuron culturing

Living human neurons from stem cells

Human neurons are grown from stem cells, cultured on silicon with 59 electrodes.

Electrode interface

Digital-to-biological translation

Electrodes read activity and stimulate neurons. Signals train neurons to respond.

Python programming

Deploy algorithms to neurons

Researchers write Python code to train neurons for pattern recognition and solving problems.

Bioreactor support

Life support systems keep neurons alive

Nutrients, oxygen, temperature and pH are controlled. A 30-unit rack uses 900 W.

Spec sheet

Spec	CL1 Biological Computer
Neurons per unit	~800,000^R (reported)
Input electrodes	59^R (reported)
Power consumption (30-unit rack)	850–1000 W^R (reported)
Unit price	$35,000^R (reported)
Neuron lifespan	Up to 6 months (some up to 1 year)^R (reported)
Latency	<1 millisecond^R (reported)

^R reported by the company

Update log

5 updates

About Cortical Labs

The team behind CL1 Biological Computer

Cortical Labs

Biological computers, living neurons, CL1, wetware

Cortical Labs builds code-deployable computers using living human neurons from stem cells. The CL1 biological computer houses 800,000 neurons on a silicon chip and runs at a fraction of the power of traditional AI data centres.

CL1 uses 850–1000 W for 30 units, versus multi-megawatt traditional AI data centres.
Melbourne data centre hosts 120 CL1 units and attracts global researchers.
Python API lets researchers program living neurons for research.

corticallabs.com (opens corticallabs.com)Company profile →

Founded: 20197 yrs
Headquarters: Australia
Status: Private
Valuation: private
Raised: $12M2 rounds
Last round: Australian Government grant (IGP) · $245K2026
Works in: ComputingNew kinds of computers
Coverage: 1 program · 5 updateslatest 1 Aug 2026checked 11 Oct
Lead investors: Horizons VenturesBlackbird VenturesJanuary Capital
Partners: DayOneNUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
People: Hon Weng ChongFounder and CEOBrett KaganChief Scientific OfficerAndy KitchenCo-founder

Spec

CL1 Biological Computer

Neurons per unit

~800,000^R (reported)

Input electrodes

59^R (reported)

Power consumption (30-unit rack)

850–1000 W^R (reported)

Unit price

$35,000^R (reported)

Neuron lifespan

Up to 6 months (some up to 1 year)^R (reported)

Latency

<1 millisecond^R (reported)

CL1 Biological Computer

Milestones

Most important updates

Upcoming

Current obstacles

Physics limits

How it works

Living human neurons from stem cells

Digital-to-biological translation

Deploy algorithms to neurons

Life support systems keep neurons alive

Spec sheet

Update log

Aug 2026

Apr 2026

Jun 2025

Mar 2025

About Cortical Labs

Current obstacles

Physics limits

How it works

Living human neurons from stem cells

Digital-to-biological translation

Deploy algorithms to neurons

Life support systems keep neurons alive

Spec sheet

Update log

Aug 2026

Apr 2026

Jun 2025

Mar 2025

About Cortical Labs