IBM develops 'reasoning' computer chip

ARMONK, N.Y., Aug. 19 (UPI) -- IBM says it has created a computer chip that can mimic the human brain in its ability to learn through experiencing its surroundings.

The company said Thursday the experimental chip will let a new generation of computers, called "cognitive computers," understand their surroundings and act on things that happen around them, CNN reported.

The prototype chip could allow computers to "reason" instead of reacting solely to pre-programmed instructions, IBM said.

"Imagine traffic lights that can integrate sights, sounds and smells and flag unsafe intersections before disaster happens," said project leader Dharmendra Modha.

"Or imagine cognitive co-processors that turn servers, laptops, tablets and phones into machines that can interact better with their environments."

"The computers we have today are more like calculators," Modha told tech blog VentureBeat. "We want to make something like the brain. It is a sharp departure from the past."