The UK has unveiled the winners of its Quantum Testbed Competition; the seven companies will lead the development and delivery of quantum computing testbeds at the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) in South Oxfordshire by March 2025
Funded through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Technology Missions Fund and the NQCC, this initiative, administered by Innovate UK, marks a pivotal moment in the UK’s quest to establish itself as a frontrunner in quantum computing technology.
Quantum computing research
Quantum computing research has traditionally relied on theoretical frameworks, often needing more practical application. The testbeds funded by this initiative aim to bridge this gap by providing tangible hardware platforms for refining and running quantum algorithms.
Each winning company will embark on a testbed system’s development, building, commissioning, and initial testing phases. These systems will help identify the most effective quantum computing solutions for different problem domains and contribute to tackling society’s most pressing challenges.
At the heart of these endeavours lies the mission to explore quantum technologies’ potential in various sectors, from finance to healthcare. Dr. Kedar Pandya, Senior Responsible Owner of the UKRI Technology Mission Fund, emphasises the importance of equipping UK businesses and institutions with the necessary resources to lead in quantum computing, paving the way for long-term competitive advantage.
Quantum Computing Testbeds: The potential of quantum technologies
Professor Will Drury, Executive Director of Digital and Technologies at Innovate UK, highlights the transformative potential of quantum technologies in addressing societal challenges.
Quantum computing’s outstanding computational power promises breakthroughs in sensing, imaging, and communications, fostering economic growth and creating high-paying jobs.
Diverse approaches to quantum computing hardware will be explored by the winning companies, including platforms utilising different qubit architectures. These endeavours emphasises the advantages and challenges of various quantum computing methodologies.
The future of quantum technologies
Dr. Michael Cuthbert, Director of NQCC, commends the awarded companies for deploying prototype quantum computing platforms into the NQCC facility. This marks a crucial step in establishing a cutting-edge facility with on-site access to diverse qubit modalities, shaping the future of quantum computing research.
Minister Andrew Griffith MP reaffirms the UK’s commitment to quantum computing as part of its strategy to transition to a quantum-enabled economy by 2033.
He emphasises that this investment signifies more than just financial backing; it represents an investment in Quantum’s boundless potential to drive technological innovation and economic prosperity.
This announcement coincides with the unveiling of the winners of the £15 million Quantum Catalyst Fund, further supporting the integration of quantum technologies into real-world applications across the private and public sectors.
