IBM Q System One is “The world’s first fully integrated universal computing system,” according to Big Blue. Its purpose is to get quantum computing out of the research lab and into a commercial environment.
Since 2017, IBM has been working on the design elements around its quantum chips. Having the qubits is one thing, but IBM wants to get to the point where the systems that are built around them can be easily upgraded.
IBM has been working since 2017 to look at the complete system design around its quantum chips. This field is evolving all the time, and when new chips with more qubits get created, you need to adapt the components around them to support that new chip.
Also, quantum chips are just really finickity. IBM has to keep these chips at a temperature that’s colder than outer space just to prevent overheating. All it takes is a gust of warm air or a loose electron and your qubits lose coherence. Then you just can’t get any computing done.
At CES, IBM announced that it’s opening a new quantum computation centre in Poughkeepsie, New York. It’s to be available to members of The IBM Q Network. More than 40 companies including technology firms, academic institutions, and national research labs. They’ll be able to tap into quantum systems like this through a cloud service.
Researchers are exploring all sorts of ways to use quantum computing. But it basically all boils down to two different approaches.
We spoke with Bob Sutor, the IBM research vice-president for quantum strategy and eco-system, at CES 2019 about the system. Play the video above to hear the whole story and see the quantum system for yourself.