Episode 24: The cellular automata machine
Built in 1985 by Técnico researchers with rudimentary electronic material, the Técnico’s cellular automata prototype was able to perform 15 million operations per second, for example by analysing the evolution of the water flow along the Tagus estuary. The cellular automata machine is still in full operation, despite its electronic circuits, memories and structure being only protected by acrylics. This machine, which is composed of calculators that work collaboratively and interact with each other very fast, was used by many Técnico students and gave rise to scientific collaborations with the Portuguese Department of National Defence.
- Acknowledgements:
Rui Dilão
Episode only available in Portuguese in: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Anchor.fm
Further reading and additional audio in the Portuguese version of this webpage.