The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) and Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC), a UK-based quantum computing company, today announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding, according to a statement from the organizations.
This step represents a first of its kind collaboration: the first MoU the NQCC signs with a private partner to boost UK quantum capability and will enable the UK quantum community to get early access to UK-designed and UK-built quantum hardware.
This MOU also reflects a shared vision to enable ‘quantum readiness’ and build a user community for UK quantum computing, to drive adoption and realise the benefits across the economy and society from an early stage, according to the centre’s press release.
Quantum computers operate in a fundamentally different way to conventional computers. They are expected to deliver a step-change in computing power, with the ability to perform certain tasks that are practically impossible for today’s digital computers. Providing access for users to explore the power of quantum computing is expected to open new avenues of academic and industrial research, with the prospect of catalysing the development of novel technologies.
Quantum computing, for instance, has the potential to speed up the discovery of new materials and medicines, offer new designs for batteries in electric vehicles, and lead to the more efficient use of transport networks through improved traffic routing. OQC recently launched its Quantum Computing as-a Service (QCaaS) with its own cloud access, and the NQCC is taking a lead on sector-based engagement. The combination of OQC’s leading technology and the NQCC’s reach, and user community activities will help to boost access to quantum computing resources for UK-based users in future.
“Early adopters of OQC’s technology will be given a chance to further experiment with quantum and get competitive advantages in their industry.”
Under the MOU, the NQCC and OQC pledge to work together to enable the pathway to ‘quantum readiness’, an endeavour to prepare sectors of the UK economy and wider society to realise the full opportunities that quantum computing is set to offer. The organizations aim to identify potential users and showcase the capabilities of UK technologies and expertise, through access to OQC’s quantum computing platforms. This approach will also support efforts to ensure data onshoring for critical applications. Aligned to the shared vision of the MOU, the NQCC and OQC endeavour to support UK efforts in training and developing talent to contribute to a skilled and diverse workforce in quantum computing.
“OQC is proud to be an instrumental part of the next revolution in technology. This new collaboration is a testament to our strategy of building the core and partnering with the best. Early adopters of OQC’s technology will be given a chance to further experiment with quantum and get competitive advantages in their industry. This is another step for us, together with the NQCC, in helping cement the country’s role on the global quantum scene.” – Ilana Wisby, CEO of OQC. NQCC Director,
Michael Cuthbert said, “I am delighted that OQC and NQCC are taking a leadership role together to establish user access in support of our shared quantum readiness objectives. Building a user community and driving early adoption of quantum computing resources is a core objective of the NQCC and I am excited to be able to do this with a UK company, developing UK technology for UK users with data held onshore here in the UK. The quantum computing roadmap is a long and complex one, today marks an important step on that journey.”
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