TOKYO, Japan — According to Nikkei, a group of Japanese corporations, including Toyota Motor, will begin using an IBM quantum computer to explore potential applications for the next-generation computer in industry. Toyota, Mitsubishi Chemical, and ten other businesses have agreed to collaborate on the quantum computer, which is intended for commercial usage. Another option is to use the system to create new materials. The device will be installed in the Kawasaki Business Incubation Center (KBIC), which is located southwest of Tokyo in Kanagawa Prefecture. By the end of July, the system should be up and running. After Germany, Japan is the second country outside of the United States to have an IBM quantum computer installed. Japan’s Quantum Innovation Initiative Consortium, coordinated by the University of Tokyo, will utilise the system. The partnership, which includes Toyota, Hitachi, Toshiba, and Sony Group, was founded last year with the purpose of boosting quantum computing-related research and development in the country. Installing a quantum computer often costs billions of yen, or tens of millions of dollars. The consortium members will split the installation costs. Continue reading
