Industry quantum computing applications
Quantum computing promises to overcome computational limitations with better and faster solutions for optimization, simulation, and machine learning problems. Europe and Germany are in the process of successfully establishing research and funding programs with the objective to advance the technology’s ecosystem and industrialization, thereby ensuring digital sovereignty, security, and competitiveness. Such an ecosystem comprises hardware/software solution providers, system integrators, and users from research institutions, start-ups, and industry. The vision of the Quantum Technology and Application Consortium (QUTAC) is to establish and advance the quantum computing ecosystem, supporting the ambitious goals of the German government and various research programs. QUTAC is comprised of ten members representing different industries, in particular automotive manufacturing, chemical and pharmaceutical production, insurance, and technology. In this paper, we survey the current state of quantum computing in these sectors as well as the aerospace industry and identify the contributions of QUTAC to the ecosystem. We propose an application-centric approach for the industrialization of the technology based on proven business impact. This paper identifies 24 different use cases. By formalizing high-value use cases into well-described reference problems and benchmarks, we will guide technological progress and eventually commercialization. Our results will be beneficial to all ecosystem participants, including suppliers, system integrators, software developers, users, policymakers, funding program managers, and investors.
With quantum computers surpassing leading supercomputers in specific computational challenges , and the availability of noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ)-era quantum computing systems outside of laboratory environments, we have entered the industrialization stage of quantum computing (QC). Globally, national research programs and private investors are heavily funding quantum technologies (e.g., UK, US, China. Investments are motivated by the need to ensure digital sovereignty, national security, and sustain the industry’s competitiveness.
Quantum ecosystems and markets are still in their infancy. As technology matures, the market will grow. BCG estimates that the market size will surpass $450 billion annually in the next decade. A crucial driver will be the real-world use of the technology within business applications. Quantum Computing promises to solve high-value, classically intractable computational problems in the domains of optimization, machine learning, and simulation across all industry sectors.
Europe needs a vibrant ecosystem to foster quantum computing development and compete on a global scale. With its internationally renowned research institutions engaged in foundational research and strong industrial users， Germany is in an excellent position. However, industrialization in Europe has traditionally been hampered by the European paradox, referring to Europe’s member states hosting world-leading scientific and technological research activities, but unable to convert these into global industrial and commercial leadership.
The European Union and nations are establishing various programs to foster attractive ecosystems and markets for quantum technologies. While these programs focus in particular on research and hardware technology industrialization (e.g., superconducting, ion-trap, photonic and solid-state qubits), they also emphasize the importance of holistic ecosystems. These ecosystems are to align the entire value-chain, including hardware and software solution providers, investors, and especially industry， which is essential for progressing high-value use cases that can advance commercialization.
So far, industries have refrained from commitment due to high risks and delayed return on investment. The Quantum Application and Technology Consortium (QUTAC) addresses this issue by joining the efforts of ten industrial companies to advance the German quantum computing ecosystem. The primary effort is the contribution of potential applications and a business-centric perspective to emerging initiatives from both Germany and the European Union.
QUTAC: quantum application and technology consortium
QUTAC aims to raise quantum computing to the level of large-scale industrial applications while preparing our members for a new digital future. We bring together the expertise of Germany’s industry to efficiently advance quantum computing towards real-world applications, ensuring Germany’s and Europe’s digital sovereignty, national security, and competitiveness in a global economy.
QUTAC will move the emerging quantum computing ecosystem forward, supporting the ambitious goals of the German government. It comprises ten companies from four sectors with the mission to contribute an industry perspective and focus on the development of the German and European quantum ecosystems. QUTAC focuses primarily on the applications of quantum computing. Our members share the need to act due to the potentially disruptive impact of quantum computing on all aspects of our business and value-chains. Collaboration across company borders promises to de-risk fundamental, pre-competitive research. Additionally, quantum computing might allow some members to explore further opportunities in the quantum value-chain, e.g., as a component or software provider.
Link：https://epjquantumtechnology.springeropen.com/articles/10.1140/epjqt/s40507-021-00114-x
