Using living neurons as the foundation of computer chips promises to bring significant advantages over conventional systems in terms of both energy efficiency and adaptability: As sophisticated as AI is, the human brain needs a lot less power to run and is still much better at dealing with the unfamiliar.

The latest demonstration of this biological technology comes from scientists at Cortical Labs in Australia, who have fitted out a robotic dog with neurons grown in the lab that are able to direct it towards a target on a simple map.

By growing the neurons right on the chip, and fitting it with electrodes that provide two-way electrical signaling, the Cortical Labs team was able to translate activity in the small group of neurons into movement for the attached robot.