Google and NASA are having a new quantum computer. Together with the Universities Space Research Association, they have announced that they are to install a D-Wave 2X, the newest and most powerful quantum computer processor on the market.
D-Wave is a Canadian company that has entered into a new seven-year contract with Google and NASA. This is to provide them with refined quantum computing systems for a highly developed artificial intelligence, solution to difficult optimization problems, and machine learning. The company will cover the installation of a series of D-Wave systems located at NASA's Ames Research Centre in California.
Furthermore, it claims to be the first quantum computing firm. As it works with the two giant organizations, D-Wave is going to ship new generations of D-Wave systems as they become available for potentially state-of-the-art and faster computing solutions.
Vern Brownell, the Chief Executive Officer of D-Wave, said in a statement that "The new agreement is the largest order in D-Wave's history, and indicative of the importance of quantum computing in its evolution toward solving problems that are difficult for even the largest supercomputers. We highly value the commitment that our partners have made to D-Wave and our technology, and are excited about the potential use of our systems for machine learning and complex optimization problems."
In 2013, D-Wave handed over its 500-qubit D-Wave Two system to both Google and NASA, which allowed them to use it for flight planning, mission scheduling, and search algorithm testing. Both organizations feel that even if quantum computing is not well-developed enough to replace conventional computing, it may potentially do well one day. Thus, getting a head start on testing as early as now is a smart plan.
On the whole, D-Wave is at the forefront of the project. As stated in a press statement, this recent order from Google and NASA is the biggest ever; therefore it will probably be around for a much longer time.
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