LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 5

LIST OF FIGURES 7

LIST OF TABLES 7

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 9

1. INTRODUCTION 12

  1.1. Scope and objectives of this study 12

  1.2. Methodology 14

  1.3. Challenges and limitations 19

2. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION LANDSCAPE 21

  2.1. Understanding of neuromorphic computing 22

    2.1.1. Origins 22

    2.1.2. Definition 22

    2.1.3. Distinctive features compared to conventional computing 22

    2.1.4. Different technologies used in neuromorphic computing 25

    2.1.5. Areas of application 27

    2.1.6. Potential benefits of neuromorphic computing relative to conventional computing 28

  2.2. Mapping of the research and innovation landscape 29

    2.2.1. The research landscape of neuromorphic computing 30

    2.2.2. The innovation landscape of neuromorphic computing 33

    2.2.3. Who controls the technology - the cases of core technologies and applications 42

3. MARKET ANALYSIS AND VALUE CHAIN ASSESSMENT 55

  3.1. Neuromorphic computing: Its applications and barriers to deployment 56

    3.1.1. From innovation activity to potential market demand 56

    3.1.2. Four priority use cases for validation and market-demand modelling 61

  3.2. EU market potential to 2030 62

    3.2.1. Market-sizing challenges and external reference estimates 62

    3.2.2. Bottom-up EU demand scenarios for selected use cases 63

    3.2.3. EU market scenarios 65

  3.3. Supply chain vulnerabilities and commercial viability 68

    3.3.1. Neuromorphic computing value chain 68

    3.3.2. EU actors and global position by value chain segment 69

    3.3.3. Risk assessment and mitigation 75

  3.4. EU Commercial viability and leadership potential 82

4. CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS 86

  4.1. Consolidation of findings 87

    4.1.1. SWOT analysis 87

    4.1.2. Overview of findings 90

    4.1.3. Concluding synthesis 94

  4.2. The role of neuromorphic computing in EU AI sovereignty 95

  4.3. Policy recommendations 99

REFERENCES 106

ANNEX 1: CONCISE ANSWERS TO RESEARCH QUESTIONS 114

ANNEX 2: GLOSSARY OF NEUROMORPHIC COMPUTING 119

ANNEX 3: PATENT ANALYSIS TABLES 124

ANNEX 4: DISTRIBUTION OF RELEVANT PATENT FAMILIES BY ECONOMIC ACTIVITY 139

ANNEX 5: APPLICATION-ORIENTED PATENT FAMILIES BY APPLICATION AREA 144

ANNEX 6: INDUSTRIAL CAPABILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRINCIPAL APPLICATION AREAS 146

ANNEX 7: OVERVIEW OF USE CASES 150

ANNEX 8: VALUE CHAIN SEGMENT OVERVIEW 153

ANNEX 9: OVERVIEW OF THE VALUE CHAIN AND EU CAPABILITIES AND COMPETITORS 155

ANNEX 10: VALUE CHAIN RISK MATRIX 159