Future cluster "NeuroSys" is an opportunity for the region

Neuromorphic computers can be a powerful basis for artificial intelligence.

Computer hardware is increasingly reaching its limits — innovative hardware concepts such as neuromorphic systems are coming to the rescue. Modelled on the two basic building blocks of the brain — neurons and synapses — they can serve as powerful and equally resource-efficient hardware of the future.

The future cluster "NeuroSys — Neuromorphic Hardware for Artificial Intelligence Applications" will conduct research in this area. By transferring excellent basic research from RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jülich to neuromorphic components and algorithms, it aims to develop a viable technological basis that can be used in the field of artificial intelligence in particular. NeuroSys" is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and is part of the German government's high-tech strategy as part of the "Cluster4Future" initiative.

"Our vision is to make Aachen-Jülich a global leader in the field of neuromorphic computing for research, development and application. NeuroSys is a great opportunity for our region and the structural change of the Rhineland mining district. We will transfer excellent science to local companies and start-ups," says the coordinator of the future cluster, Professor Max Lemme, Head of the Chair of Electronic Components at RWTH Aachen University and Scientific Managing Director of AMO GmbH. "We want to develop a complete ecosystem: from materials science to dedicated software that demonstrates the performance of the new technology. This development will be accompanied by addressing the key ethical and socio-economic issues associated with AI. Artificial intelligence must be guided by European values, and security, data protection and sovereignty must be guaranteed by design."

There is an opportunity to achieve technological independence for Europe in this ethically and economically sensitive area. AI is a key technology of the future and will be a building block for the next stage of global development — not only in terms of economic growth, but also for tackling major social challenges such as climate change, health, labour and mobility.

The players in the future cluster are RWTH Aachen University, Forschungszentrum Jülich, AMO GmbH, IHK Aachen and the companies AixACCT Systems GmbH, AIXTRON SE, AppTek GmbH, ELMOS Semiconductor SE, RWTH Innovation GmbH and STAR Healthcare as well as the start-ups AiXscale Photonics UG, Black Semiconductor GmbH, Clinomic GmbH and Gremse-IT GmbH. The kick-off meeting of the project stakeholders took place today.