Living Neurons Play Doom: A Leap Forward in Biocomputation

In a groundbreaking demonstration, Cortical Labs has shown that approximately 200,000 living human neurons, grown on a microchip, can play the complex video game Doom. This achievement, previously considered the domain of sophisticated artificial intelligence, marks a significant step toward functional biocomputation and establishes a functional link between the digital and biological worlds.

The CL1 System: A Biological Computer

The Cortical Labs CL1 houses around 200,000 living human neurons cultivated on a multi-electrode array . Launched last year, the system’s capabilities were recently demonstrated through this unexpected application: playing Doom. Cortical Labs has emphasized user accessibility, developing an Application Programming Interface (API) intended to be user-friendly . This focus enabled an independent researcher, Sean, to code a working version of Doom to run on the CL1 using the API in under a week . This builds upon prior work where the system successfully played Pong, proving real-time goal-directed learning was achievable.

Overcoming the Complexity of Doom

Doom presented a considerable challenge due to its complexity. As Dr. Alon Lerfler of Cortical Labs explained, “Doom is chaos. It’s 3D, it has enemies, it needs to explore its environment, and it’s hard” . The team overcame this by translating the game’s digital information into electrical signals interpretable by the neurons, stimulating sensory areas of the neural culture based on in-game events. Neuronal firing patterns then function as motor commands within the game, allowing the “Doom guy” to move and shoot. Even as the neuronal performance currently resembles that of a novice player, the system demonstrably learns, seeking out enemies and improving with feedback.

Cortical Labs API: Bridging Digital and Biological Worlds

The development of functional brain-computer interfaces has progressed beyond simple tasks. Cortical Labs is now demonstrating the capacity for living neurons to engage with complex digital environments. The company’s CL1 device houses approximately 200,000 human neurons cultured on a multi-electrode array, forming the basis for a novel neurocomputing system. Cortical Labs developed an API allowing users to translate digital information into electrical stimulation patterns understandable by the neuronal culture . Independent researcher Sean utilized this API to map the game’s video feed to specific electrode stimulation, effectively creating a sensory input for the neurons.

Real-Time Learning and Biocomputational Flexibility

Cortical Labs is pushing the boundaries of neurocomputation with its CL1 system. Dr. Alon Lerfler explained that the company’s recent focus has been on refining user accessibility, culminating in the development of the Cortical Labs API designed for effective and enjoyable interaction . The API allows users to interact with the neural culture using Python commands, mapping the game’s video feed into patterns of electrical stimulation; for example, “When a demon appears on the left of the screen, specific electrodes stimulate the sensory area of the neural culture on the left side.” The resulting system allows the neurons to react to stimuli and, through interpreting their responses, issue commands within the game.

The Future of Biocomputation

Cortical Labs is now inviting the research community to explore the platform, focusing on refining learning algorithms and encoding methods . This demonstration of Doom gameplay highlights the potential for training and shaping the behavior of living brain cells to accomplish increasingly complex tasks, opening new avenues for research in biocomputation and neurotechnology.