The European Human Brain Project (HBP) started its work in October 2013. In Heidelberg, novel computer systems based on the brain are being developed for the HBP. After a start-up phase of the project, the world’s largest NM-PM (neuromorphic physical model) system will be set up in the planned new building. This system of up to 10.000 silicon wafers, with a complexity of about 10^13 synaptic compounds, would be able to emulate smaller mammalian brains or entire functional systems of the human brain such as the visual system with an acceleration factor of 1,000. It would thus be a unique tool for basic research and possible applications of this method.