Quantum computing: “It’s important now to develop the first business applications.”

Quantum computers are based on an entirely different model. Classic computers use bits that can have two distinct values, 0 and 1. In quantum computing, we work with qubits, which are the quantum-mechanical counterpart to bits. Qubits also describe the values that lie between 0 and 1 over a certain timespan. The qubit only has a clearly defined value in the moment at which the measurement is taken, thus allowing us to store the measurement result in a “classic” bit.

Quantum computing allows numerous calculations at the same time and process immense volumes of data faster and more easily. Simultaneous processing results in an exponential increase in speed, for example, optimal routes for aviation industry but also for logistics companies can be calculated for all aircraft/vehicles in parallel in real time instead of sequentially. Furthermore, when it comes to chip development, we have already come up against physical limits. We no longer have this problem in a quantum computer: i.e. the computing capacities can be expanded as necessary.

Yes, there will be security risks for older systems based on today's encryption algorithms. Mathematical methods must make it as unlikely as possible to guess a correct solution in a finite amount of time. However, if computing power increases significantly, older methods will reach their limits and will have to be replaced by new, more powerful methods. Our IT security specialists are therefore already working on evaluating these new algorithms and helping to implement them.

We’ve come a long way but the technology is definitely still in its infancy. Even today, however, a quantum computer is far superior to a classic computer in certain tasks. An example: Using 54-qubit processors from Google, a quantum computer can solve a specific task from the field of random generation in 200 seconds that would take a classic computer 10,000 years to complete. This example shows how important it is to develop the first business applications now so that we can get started as soon as the technology is widely available.

We’re currently concentrating on applications in the aviation industry. One use case we’re working on involves optimizing flight plans. It’s a classic optimization problem: it’s time-critical and concerns a substantial number and wide variety of flight routes and airplane types – from cargo planes to passenger aircraft. The implementation on a classical computer showed that the information is so highly complex that it pushed a classic computer to its limits. As a result, we were forced to reduce the amount of information we used for modeling. We are currently trying out different quantum computer technologies to find out which is best suited for this application. Another example is flight route planning. As of very recently, airlines have been able to introduce slight variations in their flight routes rather than just specifying them precisely. At the same time, flight routes are optimized for short travel times, minimal kerosene consumption and climate impact. This also involves processing and calculating vast amounts of information in real time. We are working to implement the calculations in different architectures, which will enable us to develop the best architecture and the best algorithm.

Another example is flight route planning. As of very recently, airlines have been able to introduce slight variations in their flight routes rather than just specifying them precisely. At the same time, flight routes are optimized for short travel times, minimal kerosene consumption and climate impact. This also involves processing and calculating vast amounts of information in real time. We are working to implement the calculations in different architectures, which will enable us to develop the best architecture and the best algorithm.
 

No, you have to take a physics-based approach, think completely differently, model differently and, above all, gain experience and an advantage is to exchange ideas with others. This is a completely new technology that first needs to be understood and tested in practice.

Yes, absolutely. We wouldn’t make any progress battling away on our own. Collaboration and transparency are essential, in general but especially in the field of quantum computing. QUTAC aims to promote the technical sovereignty of Germany and Europe and establish a new platform for action to bring industrial use of quantum technology to the fore. Its focus is not on the hardware but on developing and applying business cases. It is about building up knowledge, gathering experience, and attracting and inspiring talented young people to engage with the new technology.