2013年10月14日 来源：新华网
新华网10月14日电 据科技网站Gizmodo刊文，美国著名芯片厂商高通公司正在开发一种新型Zeroth处理器，这种处理器可以模拟人类大脑的思维和处理方式。
高通公司的研发工作不仅是模仿人类智能的尝试，也是复制基础生物学的尝试，目的是为智能手机配置功能更为复杂的芯片。为了能更加真实地模仿人类行为反应，高通公 司开发了一种发射电脉冲的复杂神经网络模型，与人类的神经元颇为相似。
虽然复制人类大脑功能本身已经是相当大的挑战，但高通公司不希望就此止步。传统意义上，研究人员尝试复制复杂的大脑功能主要依赖于大规模的超级计算机进行数字运 算。但是高通公司希望建立全新的处理器架构。在中央处理单元和图形处理单元旁，高通的Zeroth处理器利用神经处理单元模拟人脑进行运算。
高通公司的想法是，未来的设备会进行自主思考并预测人类用户的需求。
Qualcomm is developing a new line of Zeroth processors designed to help devices think and sense just like human brains and bodies.
This isn't just an attempt at mimicking the behavior of human intelligence, but rather, an attempt at replicating the underlying biology that drives behavior. Oh, and Qualcomm wants to stuff all that complex computation into a chip that fits in your phone.
In order to interact and respond to the world the way a human does, Qualcomm has developed a complex models of neural networks that work by transmitting electrical pulses—much like human neurons.
Though the problem of replicating human brain function is quite the challenge on its own, Qualcomm wants to take it step further. Traditionally, researchers trying to replicate brains with complex computation have relied on massive supercomputers to do the number crunching, but Qualcomm wants to build up an entirely new processor architecture. Next to the central processing unit and graphics processing unit on your smartphone, Qualcomm's Zeroth processors will have a neural processing unit to do brain-like computation.
According to the Qualcomm, the idea is that in the future, devices will see the world the way we do—so that they can anticipate our needs.