CES 2019 | IBM unveils first commercial quantum computer

Quantum computers are regarded by many experts as the computer technology of the future, since in theory they can solve highly complex arithmetic operations in just a few seconds, for which current supercomputers need days. One of the companies that is currently a leader in quantum computer research is IBM. The company has been working on the technology in research laboratories for years and has recently been able to report major progress.

Now IBM is taking a huge step forward. At CES, the company announced that it would be the first manufacturer ever to make quantum computers accessible to commercial customers. The 'IBM Q System One', as the computer was named by IBM, measures 2.5 by 2.5 meters and is located in a glass box that is airtightly sealed. According to IBM this computer is supposed to be much faster than its predecessors in the laboratory. So far, quantum computers have had 5 to 16 quantum bits, while the IBM Q System One has a proud 20 qubits. For comparison: researchers assume that quantum computers with 50 qubits or more should be superior to any current supercomputer.

Interested parties can access the computer via the cloud and program it with the open source tool kit Qiskit.

All in all, this system is a huge step forward on the road to a future in which quantum computers may eventually replace traditional computers.

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