SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Airbus, headquartered in Toulouse, France, and the BMW Group in Munich announced the winners of their Quantum Computing Challenge, which focused on quantum technology's potential to transform mobility solutions. The announcement was made at the Q2B conference, an event highlighting advancements in quantum computing.
The challenge, launched in December 2023 and hosted by The Quantum Insider, aimed to advance quantum solutions for aircraft and vehicle design, manufacturing, and operations. A panel of quantum computing experts from academia and industry reviewed more than 100 global submissions. Five winning teams, each awarded €30,000, were selected for their innovative approaches to key mobility challenges.
A winning team was chosen in five competition categories:
In Quantum Simulation, a team from the University of Southern California demonstrated how quantum technologies could improve understanding of material behavior, such as energy absorption and binding properties.
In Quantum Solvers, a team from the University of Hamburg in Germany combined quantum and classical computing to solve complex equations aimed at minimizing aircraft noise and maximizing aerodynamic efficiency.
For Quantum-powered Logistics, the UK start-up 4colors Research developed a quantum-based approach to minimize CO2 emissions and supply chain costs in the mobility sector.
In Quantum Machine Learning, France’s Quandela explored how quantum computing could enhance scenario generation, such as converting limited daytime data into realistic nighttime conditions, and improving autonomous system reliability.
In the Golden App (open category), a team from TU Delft in the Netherlands delivered an innovative quantum composite design solution, optimizing carbon fiber layering to reduce fuel consumption in aviation and automotive industries.
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“The teams have achieved outstanding progress, and the results of this challenge confirm that quantum technologies have the potential to shape the next generation of aircraft,” said Isabell Gradert, Vice President of Central Research and Technology at Airbus.
Robert Bruckmeier, General Manager of Computing at Network Artificial Intelligence at BMW Group, emphasized the broader potential: “Quantum technology has the power to redefine innovation across industries... progress made in this challenge reaffirms our belief in quantum technology’s potential to drive extraordinary advancements for the automotive industry.”
Finalists gained access to quantum resources through Amazon Web Services and collaborated with experts from Airbus and BMW. The challenge underscores the importance of cross-industry partnerships in advancing quantum innovations from research to real-world applications.
Jamie Whitney
Jamie Whitney joined the staff of Military & Aerospace Electronics and Intelligent Aerospace. He brings seven years of print newspaper experience to the aerospace and defense electronics industry.
Whitney oversees editorial content for the Intelligent Aerospace Website, as well as produce news and features for Military & Aerospace Electronics, attend industry events, produce Webcasts, oversee print production of Military & Aerospace Electronics, and expand the Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics franchises with new and innovative content.
