Daphne Leprince-Ringuet
| June 25, 2021 — 10:34 GMT (11:34 BST)
| Topic: Quantum Computing
Nippon Steel has concluded that, despite the current hardware limitations of quantum computers, the technology holds a lot of promise when it comes to optimizing complex problems.
Image: Honeywell Quantum Solutions
From railways and ships all the way to knives and forks: the number of products that are made of steel is too high to list – and to ensure a steady supply of the sought-after material, Japanese steel manufacturer Nippon Steel is now looking at how quantum computing might help.
The company, which produced a hefty 50 million tons of steel in 2019 (that is, 40% of the total production in Japan) has partnered with Cambridge Quantum Computing (CQC) and Honeywell to find out whether quantum computers have the potential to boost efficiencies in the supply chain.
Earlier this year, for example, IBM and energy giant ExxonMobil revealed that they had been working together to build quantum algorithms that could one day optimize the routing of tens of thousands of merchant ships crossing the oceans to deliver everyday goods – a $14 trillion industry that could hugely benefit from operational efficiencies.
The results from Nippon Steel are the first to emerge following the announcement of a partnership between Honeywell and CQC earlier this month. CQC’s quantum software capabilities are planned to merge with Honeywell’s quantum hardware services in a deal that is expected to make waves in the industry.
By joining forces, the two companies are effectively set to become leaders in the quantum ecosystem. The early results from the trials with Nippon Steel, therefore, are likely to be only the start of many new projects to come, as the two firms apply their complementary expertise to global issues affecting various different industries.
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Daphne Leprince-Ringuet
| June 25, 2021 — 10:34 GMT (11:34 BST)
| Topic: Quantum Computing