€9M NWO grant positions the Netherlands to lead next-generation brain-inspired computing

The Netherlands is taking a major step toward energy-efficient computing with a €9 million grant from the NWO Knowledge and Innovation Covenant (KIC) Long-Term Programme, awarded to the ”10^X-Factor(y): Towards a Dutch ecosystem for neuromorphic technologies“ project. The project is managed by UG researchers affiliated with CogniGron, a research hub that develops highly energy-efficient supercomputers. In total, the project will manage a total budget of 30 million euros, coming mainly from companies and private funders.

10^x-Factor(y) will establish a national ecosystem for neuromorphic technologies: an emerging field that designs novel types of computing systems, inspired by the data processing principles of the brain. By bringing together leading research institutions, companies and universities, the initiative seeks to accelerate the development of next-generation computing systems that are orders of magnitude more energy-efficient than current solutions and enable real-time processing.

CogniGron at the University of Groningen will lead the consortium in collaboration with partners including TNO, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Twente, TU Delft, Radboud University, and Astron, and a range of high-tech companies such as Infineon, Innatera, Snap inc, Synopsys, Batenburg Beenen, Sencure, IMChip, Oxford Instruments, and OPT/NET. Together, they will work across the full innovation chain, from advanced materials, devices and chip design to system integration and applications.

The aim is to lower the threshold to adopt neuromorphic technologies for real-world solutions. To this end, the program is designed around 7 demonstrators representing 7 use cases ranging from automation & robots, health monitoring & diagnostics to field sensors. 10^x-Factor(y) will have the critical mass for realising these demonstrators and lay the basis for bringing such novel technologies to market. Working on the upcoming challenges within a 10-years project is a unique opportunity.

“Neuromorphic technologies are already in the market, with Dutch companies leading in Europe. However, to penetrate the global user market, they must become a reliable, affordable, easy-to-integrate solution that solves urgent problems. 10^x-Factor(y) aims to build that bridge” explains Beatriz Noheda, 10^x-Factor(y) main principal investigator.

Future-proof computing inspired by the brain

Modern computing faces a critical sustainability challenge. Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving energy demand to levels that already limit the capacity of data centres and challenge the power grid. It also hinders the use of AI at places where power is limited, as health sensors or devices in remote locations. Instead, data is communicated into the cloud, resulting in severe privacy issues.

These issues cannot be tackled with incremental changes but requires different computing paradigms like neuromorphic computing, which takes inspiration from the extreme energy efficiency of brains for information processing. This approach consists of using one or more of the principles used by the brain: use of analogue signals, implementation of  asynchronous (event-based) processing, communication and information encoding via spikes and bringing the processor closer to the memory.

An ecosystem for research, education and industry

The KIC targets programs that address societal challenges faced by the Netherlands. The results should contribute to realizing economic opportunities and, thus, private investment is crucial. KIC-LTP programmes are expected to lead to long-term and sustainable innovations.

The Netherlands is uniquely positioned to lead the neuromorphic computing revolution: It is one of the few countries with expertise spanning the entire neuromorphic value chain, supported by existing initiatives such as NL-ECO, Mission 10^x , and the newly formed NC-NL alliance and national research programmes in AI, computing, photonics and semiconductors. The 10X-Factor(y) program builds on this foundation by integrating fragmented efforts into a coordinated, industry-driven ecosystem.

10^x-Factor(y) will form an integrated community linking industry with research and education. In the span of ten years, it will develop prototypes, train new experts, and test real life applications. With shared infrastructure, co-design platforms, and responsible innovation frameworks, the programme will establish the Netherlands as a global leader in sustainable, energy-efficient neuromorphic computing.

The Board of the University reacts to the news: “We are very proud that NWO will invest in neuromorphic computing, which started with the Cognigron centre in Groningen. This institute was made possible by a gift of the Ubbo Emmius Fund. The grant is an important boost for research into energy-efficient AI, which is urgent for today’s society.”

About CogniGron

Groningen Cognitive Systems and Materials Center (CogniGron) is a leading multidisciplinary research center at the University of Groningen for research and development on neuromorphic computing. CogniGron was founded on a large gift from the Ubbo Emmius Foundation.