Dec. 4, 2024 — Jij Inc. and ORCA Computing Limited are pleased to announce the establishment of a strategic partnership in quantum computing technology. Under this partnership, Jij will develop algorithms to maximize the capabilities of ORCA Computing’s photonic quantum computers with applications in logistics delivery planning, power supply and demand planning in the energy sector, and manufacturing production schedule optimization where the capabilities of traditional computing methods are challenged.
A key feature of photonic quantum computers is their ability to operate in room temperature environments, eliminating the need for ultra-low temperature external cooling equipment, as required by other types of quantum computers, resulting in significant cost and operating advantages. Additionally, the ability to implement computing devices in standard data center environments addresses requirements such as communication speed and security as required for on-premises and cloud deployments.
This partnership combines the system and architecture expertise of ORCA Computing, a leading UK quantum startup with a track record of deliveries to government agencies in the UK and other countries, with Jij`s extensive knowledge gained through developing unique algorithms across various industries including energy, manufacturing, transportation, communications, materials development, and construction. This marks the first such comprehensive collaboration between Japanese and British startups in the quantum field.
Moving forward, Jij will strengthen its joint research and development and business collaboration with ORCA Computing, which is at the center of the UK’s quantum ecosystem, and the company will expand into overseas markets through its UK subsidiary, planned for establishment by spring 2025.
Per Nyberg, Chief Commercial Officer for ORCA Computing, commented: “The partnership with Jij represents a significant step toward the adoption of quantum computing in industry. We are confident that combining Jij’s extensive technological capabilities with enterprise applications with our PT-2 photonic system will accelerate the development of quantum solutions that bring real value to key industrial sectors in the near-term.”
“We have been in discussions with ORCA Computing since 2023, and today’s announcement is built on the trust relationship that the staff of ORCA Computing and Jij have cultivated over time,” said Hiroshi Nakata, Jij’s Chief Operating Officer. “With this strong trust relationship as our foundation, we will focus not only on collaboration between our two companies but also on leading an ecosystem that involves companies, research institutes, and government agencies between Japan and the UK.”
About ORCA Computing
Headquartered in London, UK, with offices in the United States and Canada, ORCA Computing is a pioneering developer and provider of full-stack photonic quantum computing systems. Established in 2019 and originating from the University of Oxford, the company offers an innovative approach to photonic quantum computing. Its modular optical fiber-based architecture, along with proprietary methods for manipulating the time, frequency, and switching of single photons, paves the way for quantum computing using significantly fewer components. ORCA Computing has successfully delivered numerous on-premises quantum computers to leading customers, including the UK Ministry of Defense and the Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center.Across industries like manufacturing, energy, and pharmaceuticals, organizations are already leveraging ORCA Computing’s cutting-edge photonic technology to tackle complex computational challenges that are reaching the barriers of classical computing.
Source: Jij