ExxonMobil Joins IBM Quantum Computing Group

Oil giant ExxonMobil Corp. has joined IBM Corp.’s Q Network consortium, which aims to use ultra-fast quantum computing to develop products and processes.

ExxonMobil plans to focus its efforts on next-generation energy and manufacturing technologies. Potential applications include using quantum computers to optimize national power grids, perform more predictive environmental modeling and identify and test advanced materials for more efficient carbon capture.

Quantum computers use the principles of quantum mechanics to enable faster, more powerful computer simulations and analysis. More information about the technology is available HERE.

About two dozen companies, universities and tech startups have joined IBM’s Q Network, including Daimler, Honda and Samsung. IBM says more than 100,000 users have used the company’s 5-qubit (quantum bit) system and open-source Qiskit quantum software in the past 30 months.

Separately, Volkswagen is partnering with Canada’s D-Wave Systems to develop traffic management systems and other technologies using quantum computing. The partners collaborated on a quantum algorithm to better predict rider demand, which VW says could significantly improve the usage efficiency of taxis, buses and ride-sharing services.