Industry giants look to quantum to optimise operations 

Eight leading businesses have joined Digital Catapult’s latest quantum innovation accelerator to fast track the development of solutions and accelerate the practical application of deep tech. Aiming to help solve complex market challenges in major sectors of the UK economy including transport, defence and telecommunications, the programme convenes unique quantum capabilities and innovation consultancy to de-risk technology adoption.

The Quantum Technology Access Programme is part of a wider Innovate UK funded project called ‘Quantum Data Centre of the Future’ which aims to embed a quantum computer within a classical data centre to explore real-world access to quantum technologies. Partners include ORCA Computing, Riverlane and PQShield, and the inaugural programme saw a 26% boost in confidence about quantum computing from industry leaders such as Rolls Royce, Airbus and the Port of Dover. 

This year, Digital Catapult welcomes more household names, including BAE Systems, and Vodafone, signalling growing industrial interest in the technology and the spectrum of sectors that could benefit from quantum innovation. With tailored consultancy from Digital Catapult’s experts and access to cutting-edge quantum computing technology, the services available to participating companies are designed to achieve defined use-cases, and make sustainability and efficiency gains. 

Aiming to demonstrate the value quantum tech solutions can bring to the UK’s deep tech sector, the programme will explore how new products and services can address global imbalances between the supply and demand of new quantum solutions. Vodafone, for example, will explore innovative use cases to address complex telecommunications challenges, including the NP-Hard Steiner Tree problem which focuses on optimising telecoms networks by finding the most efficient way to connect multiple points.

The full list of participating companies include:

• Autonomia: Autonomia is a technology innovation start-up pioneering new ways to solve complex engineering challenges, specialising in the development of intelligent software solutions for the mobility and energy ecosystems.
• BAE Systems PLC: BAE Systems is a global defence and security company offering advanced technology solutions across air, land, sea, and cyberspace.
• MBDA: MBDA is a unique multi-national European group, a world-leader in the field of complex weapon systems, playing a key role in keeping nations safe. 
• Origami Labs UK Ltd: Origami Labs was created to discover and develop the next generation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomy technologies. It delivers applied R&D to find solutions to complex problems and accelerate turning innovation into deployable capabilities.
• SIMULEX Limited: SIMULEX is a cutting-edge R&D technology startup driving hydrogen integration across carbon capture and storage, geothermal, renewables and fossil sectors to accelerate the energy transition through advanced chemical and reservoir engineering solutions.
• Viasat: Viasat is a global communications company specialising in satellite technology for high-speed broadband and secure networking to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connectivity solutions and services.
• Vodafone Group Services: Vodafone is a leading European and African telecoms company. The company provides mobile and fixed services to over 330 million customers in 15 countries, partners with mobile networks in 45 more and has one of the world’s largest IoT platforms. 
• ZF Automotive UK: ZF is a global technology company supplying advanced mobility products and systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology.

Research indicates that quantum technology could contribute up to $450 billion to the global economy by 2040, and our work will play a key role in scaling solutions and increasing investor confidence in early stage deep tech. Any reader interested in learning more about the cohort’s progress can sign up to the newsletter here