Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Founds First Quantum Computing Center in Network

(NovusLight) Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is founding a national network on quantum computing with regional centers in seven German states. The first center to start is the Competence Center “Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg”. The federal state government will support the center with up to € 40 million over the next four years. Fraunhofer IAF takes over the coordinative management of the Competence Center Baden-Württemberg together with Fraunhofer IAO.
The aim of the national competence network of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is the development of quantum-based computing strategies for the next generation of high-performance computers. The cooperation includes cloud access to IBM quantum computers in the USA as well as the establishment of an IBM quantum computer in Germany, operating under German law.
Within the Competence Center “Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg”, an IBM quantum computer will be established in Ehningen near Stuttgart. For this purpose, IBM will provide a state-of-the-art quantum computer (IBM Q System) as computing platform starting 2021.
The location allows the quantum computer to operate under German law and to comply with European privacy regulations.
The early development of specialist competences in Baden-Württemberg and Germany offers a competitive advantage that should not be underestimated. It will allow us to participate in the value creation in the field of quantum computing at an early stage,” says Prof. Dr. Dr. Ambacher, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF in Freiburg and Manager of the Competence Center Baden-Württemberg.