We've heard only a little before about the three-dimensional computer processors that promise to be the way ahead to an even faster future, so it's encouraging to see that Honda has joined IBM in creating a
[Subscription link].
Whereas IBM's CPU is intended for future computers, Honda's breakthrough is going to power Asimo, the company's attention-seeking humanoid robot.
Well connected
The Japanese company's research arm has stacked three different chips together to create one 3D prototype that consists of a processing core, a signal converter and a chunk of memory.
Moreover, it has solved the problem of connecting them by using a set of spikes on the bottom chip that pierces all three parts and connects them electrically.
The new breed of processor works about twice as fast as normal so-called 2D chips and has the added benefit of consuming a third less power because of the proximity of components eliminating the need for much of the wiring. There's still no word on a commercial 3D chip being released, however.
