Tokyo, Japan - SoftBank Corp. and the University of Tokyo are undertaking joint research to make quantum computing a reality in society.
SoftBank will become the first corporate member of the University of Tokyo's Quantum Innovation Initiative Council (QII Council) as part of the collaboration.
Why it matters:
Quantum computers with more than 100 qubits can perform business and scientific tasks more efficiently than classical computers.
However, the current generation, called NISQ, is noise-sensitive, leading to errors as the number of qubits and performance increase.
The Key points
Focus areas: The collaboration will strengthen the relationship between industry and academia
- Develop quantum computing for business applications.
- Leverage the IBM Quantum System One, a 127-qubit quantum computer that will be deployed at the Kawasaki New Industry Creation Center (KBIC).
- Explore new applications for quantum computing.
- Integrating quantum computing with mobile technology, including 5G, 6G, and IoT.
SoftBank's role: Having explored quantum computing applications in fields such as quantum chemistry and machine learning,
SoftBank aims to
- Analyze the impact of more qubits.
- Address practical challenges by merging NISQ algorithms with error minimization techniques.
- Accelerate research on the use of quantum computers in society.
What They Say:
Emphasizes Japan's leadership in developing quantum applications and hopes to address global issues through quantum computing.
Hiroaki Aihara, Vice President, University of Tokyo
Emphasizes the imminent practical applications of quantum computing and SoftBank's commitment to advancing quantum research and its societal implementation.
Ryuji Yugawa, President, Advanced Technology Research Labs, SoftBank
Established in Japan, the QII Council aims to create a quantum computing ecosystem by bridging the gap between industry, academia, and government to promote research and development in quantum computing.
