BCAM is part of 'SiliconBurmuin ', Elkartek project that is formed by Basque multidisciplinary consortium with a focus on the latest neuromorphic technologies

• SiliconBurmuin involves Ikerlan, Vicomtech, the UPV/EHU, CAF R&D, the GAIA cluster, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, BCBL, BCAM and IIS BioBizkaia.
• From BCAM, Serafim Rodrigues as PI and Joanna Danielewicz as researcher are working on this project.
• SiliconBurmuin combines science, technology and industry, similar to those that have given rise to most neuromorphic start-ups in Europe. Its main scientific-technological objective is to research and convert neuroscience knowledge into neuromorphic technology and intellectual property (IP) that can be adopted in the next generations of AI chips to meet the most demanding needs of industry. Initially, the focus is on vision applications for autonomous train navigation and early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
• The project is  funded under the Elkartek programme for collaborative fundamental research

Artificial intelligence (AI) relies on sensors and processors whose operation and architecture have hardly changed in decades, adopting a brute-force approach: acquiring and processing large volumes of data. This approach involves high energy consumption and processing time, generating limited useful information. In contrast, neuromorphic sensors and processors mimic the efficiency of biological perception systems (mainly vision, and, to a lesser extent, hearing, touch, smell and taste) to acquire and process only relevant data, significantly reducing energy consumption and processing time compared to brute-force-based AI processors. 

This paradigm shift introduced by neuromorphic technology has led to the emergence of numerous startups commercialising their own chips, reflecting the opportunity for innovation in the semiconductor industry for the first time in decades. 
These companies join technology giants such as Intel, Sony and IBM, which have also developed neuromorphic chips, which are being tested in pre-commercial prototypes aimed at sectors such as robotics, healthcare, consumer, space and automotive.

Range of expertise
In this context, SiliconBurmuin has been created, bringing together a multidisciplinary consortium with expertise in neuroscience, mathematics, microelectronics and AI, coordinated by the Ikerlan technology centre and funded under the Elkartek programme for collaborative fundamental research. In addition to Ikerlan, the UPV/EHU (departments of Computer Architecture and Technology and Electronic Technology), Vicomtech, CAF R&D, the GAIA cluster, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language (BCBL), Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM) and IIS BioBizkaia are also participating. 

From BCAM, Serafim Rodrigues as PI and Joanna Danielewicz as researcher are working on this project.

Initially, the consortium focuses on vision applications for autonomous train navigation and early diagnosis of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SiliconBurmuin combines science, technology and industry, similar to those that have given rise to most neuromorphic start-ups in Europe. Its main scientific-technological objective is to research and convert neuroscience knowledge into neuromorphic technology and intellectual property (IP) that can be adopted in the next generations of AI chips to meet the most demanding needs of industry. Initially, the focus is on vision applications for autonomous train navigation and early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
The first phase of the project had a budget of two million euros. A second phase is planned, which will focus on machine vision and medical applications. The initiative is in line with other European initiatives such as NimbleAI, also coordinated by Ikerlan.

As the consortium organisations stress, with a global neuromorphic technology market projected to reach $8 billion by 2034, SiliconBurmuin offers ‘a unique opportunity to position the Basque Country as a leader in technological innovation, ahead of the neuromorphic AI era’. The initiative is backed by the Basque Government and complemented by the Basque Microelectronics Hub (BMH), creating an institutional link with the Spanish Perte Chip and the EU Chips Act.