Information is power, and data is the new oil. Much to their chagrin, businesses learned the hard way that if their data was not clean, they ended up with a classic case of garbage in and garbage out. As we collect more and more information, traditional computing struggles to put it all to good use. While AI and machine learning have been grabbing all the headlines, quantum computing (QC) has been waiting patiently in the wings. Until now.
It promises to solve complex problems that currently cannot be tackled due to the limitations of classical computers. Computing uses a basic language that consists of just two numbers, zero and one. Quantum computers store and process data using qubits that store a combination of one and zero called superposition. Each qubit offers an infinite number of possible states and unlocks powerful new capabilities.
In partnership with Microsoft's Azure Quantum, Honeywell is already offering organizations access to their quantum computer both directly through its interface as well as through the Azure Quantum portal.
Although it's still early days for the Model H1, an increasing number of big brands are exploring how they can leverage ten qubits of quantum computing power.
Quantum computing is much more about the journey than the destination. Honeywell plans to go from 10 qubits to between 12-20 this year. But the company's overall design has room for up to 40. As they add additional qubits, we can expect to cross a threshold of something that we cannot classically compute anymore. That's when things begin to get interesting. But what are early adopting brands focusing on?
Samsung turns to QC to improve phone batteries
Consumers’ biggest gripes with their devices are often around the limited battery life. Any brand that can deliver longer-lasting battery powered gadgets than its fierce rivals will secure a competitive edge. The problem is that the complex algorithms required to explore uncharted territory are a step too far for conventional computers.
Samsung reportedly used 100 of the more powerful two-qubit gates to test out new materials.
Could quantum finally solve the puzzle needed to make more powerful and durable batteries for our increasing number of devices? Emerging technologies could quickly offer new answers that solve real-world problems. But we are still a long way from quantum computing taking the glory of improving batteries in a practical way.
Can BMW maximize supply chain efficiency with quantum computing?
Checking the availability and pricing of components from a long list of suppliers without disrupting production can be a daunting and complex task for global brands.
BMW has turned to quantum computing to explore how tech could optimize its supply chains.
The luxury car company is developing and running a benchmark for near-term quantum optimization by embracing the technological advances in the H1 hardware.
By leveraging full qubit connectivity and high angular resolution of the quantum gates, BMW hopes to tackle some of its biggest logistics and supply chain problems. Only time will tell how significant a role that a quantum approach will help improve its manufacturing processes. But once again, it highlights how global companies are attempting to find answers to what was previously perceived as impossible problems.
Just the beginning for quantum computing
Honeywell's H1 10 qubit quantum computer capable of reaching a quantum volume of 128 is hitting the headlines with its partnerships and big announcements. Although it is ahead of IBM's offering, the tech giant has its sights set on creating a 1,000-plus qubit device called IBM Quantum Condor by 2023.
IonQ also proudly declared that its QV 4,000,000 machine can achieve 32 qubits, minimal gate errors, and is coming to the cloud this year.
Here in 2021, we are waking up to how emerging technologies can help solve humanity's most challenging problems.
Businesses are being asked to think bigger and prepare for new capabilities that will open up when quantum computers inevitably outpace supercomputers.
We should not be overhyping technology that is still in its infancy. But IonQ is asking people to imagine a not-so-distant future where quantum systems will genuinely change the world. Try to imagine one million qubits that will eventually evolve into many millions of quantum desktop computers.
A vision for the road ahead
Quantum computing is still very much in its development stage. Consider this an exploration phase where we are charting a new path to take us forward in the name of progress. IBM, Google, and Microsoft are leading a charge along with a radically different type of computation that is emerging and maturing before our eyes.
On the road ahead, we will see the building of machines containing more and more qubits. Eventually, we can expect to see the convergence of unrelated emerging technologies such as 5G, Robotic process automation (RPA), Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), Blockchain, The Internet of Things (IoT), and Quantum computing.
We are heading into a new era of deep tech convergence with multiple touchpoints. Before we get ahead of ourselves, quantum computing has many challenges ahead, such as high error rates upon integral growth in the entanglement of qubits. But the time to think bigger and explore the art of the possible begins right now.
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