Quantum computing has promising applications in driverless and connected vehicles. That’s according to US quantum technology specialist IonQ and Korean carmaker Hyundai.
The automotive giant – maker of the similarly named IONIQ 5 electric car – has expanded its partnership with the Maryland-based ion trap specialist to explore the use of quantum machine learning in its vehicles.
The aim is to speed up the computing process behind tasks like road-sign image classification, with the goal of expanding to full 3D object detection.
Sophisticated 3D object recognition and image classification are critical technologies on the road towards safe, reliable autonomous vehicles that can swiftly distinguish between different objects in their path, including people.
Quantum devices’ emerging ability to process data faster than classical machines could one day mean the split-second difference between being involved in an accident and avoiding one completely.
However, at present all quantum hardware is at an early, experimental stage, with developers striving to minimise the problem of noisy, error-prone systems.
If successful, however, such devices may need to be in the edge environment for time-critical applications, such as autonomous transport.
According to a joint announcement from the companies this week, the partners have had several breakthroughs in encoding images into quantum states, with IonQ aiming to use its processors to classify 43 different types of road signs.
The next phase will see the partners apply IonQ’s machine learning data to Hyundai’s test environment to simulate real-world scenarios.
Many autonomous car innovators are testing technologies in virtual environments and simulations before testing them on roads in the real world.
“We are excited to expand our existing relationship with Hyundai Motor to focus on another key aspect of next-generation mobility,” said Peter Chapman, President and CEO of IonQ.
“From partnering on battery research for electric vehicles to image classification and object detection research for automated driving, we expect to see quantum computers become an even more integral part in developing novel transportation solutions.”
