Biocomputers and neuromorphic computers both draw on neural information processing, but their physical substrates are different. A neural biocomputer uses living cells. Neuromorphic hardware implements brain-inspired computation in electronic devices.
Biocomputer
Neuromorphic computer
Core substrate
Living neurons or organoids
Electronic devices and circuits
Adaptation
Biological plasticity
Electronic learning rules or programmable weights
Maintenance
Culture environment and life support
Conventional hardware operation
Reproducibility
Biological variability is substantial
Fabricated hardware is comparatively standardised
Current maturity
Research and early commercial platforms
Established research and commercial hardware
Where they overlap
Both can use event-driven signals, local dynamics and architectures inspired by neural systems. Neuromorphic electronics can also sit beside living neural tissue as part of a hybrid platform.
The practical distinction
If cells have to remain viable for the computation to work, the system contains wetware. If the neural principles are implemented entirely in electronics, the hardware is neuromorphic.