QuEra CEO: Quantum moves beyond science project to engineering challenge

QuEra CEO Andy Ory said enterprises need to get ready for quantum computing and it will launch its Libra quantum computer via AWS Braket in 2028. Ory added that scalable quantum computing has moved from a science challenge to an engineering one.

Speaking at AWS' Analyst Summit in New York, Ory said "we really believe that we are going to be measured as an industry based on utility."

AWS said it will work with QuEra to bring the first fault-tolerant quantum computers to the cloud via Amazon Braket. In a blog post, AWS said it will collaborate with QuEra to bring its upcoming Libra quantum computer to Braket, which added QuEra's Acquila system to Braket in 2022.

Ory added that utility will be based on scalable machines that have thousands and tens of thousands of logical error corrected qubits. QuEra currently offers its Aquila, a 256-qubit analog neutral-atom system, and Gemini-Class quantum systems which have 260-qubits, but has a system called Libra on its roadmap.

"We're really excited about Libra. The science is not done yet, but what's really changed is that we see the end in sight. This is increasingly becoming an engineering challenge, not a scientific challenge, to get to utility scale."

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QuEra focuses on neutral atom quantum computing, which Ory argued has scalability advantages. For instance, superconducting quantum systems require a chip bathed in a 10 or 15 millikelvin refrigerator. "That refrigerator costs more than our entire machine," said Ory. "It's cold. It's unwieldy. And it's error prone."

Eric Kessler, General Manager of Amazon Braket, said neutral-atom quantum computing has matured rapidly and the key components are in place for scale.

Kessler said there’s a lot of work ahead for quantum computing, but the goal is to be set up for a time when commercial adoption is widespread. Currently, quantum computing is on the verge of solving scientific use cases.

Kessler said:

"Since we launched Amazon Braket in 2020 our customers have been gradually climbing that ladder from researching the devices themselves, trying to understand the noise in the devices, and develop algorithmic techniques to deal with that noise, for example, error mitigation, to then starting to develop IP, develop algorithms for particular problems for their applications, and we are at a very exciting time now."

Kessler said Amazon is working on its own quantum system, but will offer multiple options. Quantum computing will be part of the broader compute mix. "We fundamentally believe that quantum isn't a winner-take-all market," he said.

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