As the United States accelerates its aerospace program, artificial intelligence is likely to play a major role in future discoveries where deep tech company BrainChip (ASX: BRN) has entered into a collaboration with VORAGO Technologies to optimise processor chips for extreme conditions.

The collaboration is intended to support a Phase I NASA Program from BrainChip’s neuromorphic processor being developed specifically for spaceflight. Already deep into development, Akida™ presents as the next generation of computer processing which incorporates event-based neural networks with ultra-low power to mimic human brain processing.

With the collaboration, VORAGO Technologies will offer manufacturing assistance to harden BrainChip’s semiconductor components with radiation for extreme environment operation, like those encountered in space.

“We are both excited and proud to participate in this Phase I program with VORAGO Technologies and support NASA’s desire to leverage neuromorphic computing in spaceflight applications,” said BrainChip CEO, Louis DiNardo.

“The combination of benefits from the Akida neuromorphic processor and a radiation-hardened process brings significant new capabilities to spaceflight and aerospace applications”.

Unlike other processing chips on the market, Akida does not require an external CPU, memory or Deep Learning Accelerator, enabling it to function at significantly reduced size and power. It further provides incremental learning where new classifiers can be added to the network without retraining the entire network.

Based in Austin, Texas, privately held VORAGO Technologies has been recognized as one of Inc 5000’s Fastest Growing Private Companies in America and has already created various aerospace solutions designed to operate in the most hostile environments.

“Our ongoing mission of creating components with increased availability and unmatched solutions in aerospace and defense applications paired with the Akida neuromorphic processor will create unprecedented standards moving forward in the industry,” said VORAGO CEO, Bernd Lienhard.

The collaboration follows up another entered last month by BrainChip with Magik Eye Inc to integrate 3D sensing into  Akida for real-time object detection and recognition in applications such as robotics.