36 BayCurrent Consulting

Changes in “brains” of computers

Computers are a necessity in modern society. Since its appearance in 1940, its size, shape, and brain (i.e., computing power) continued to evolve. And computers have contributed greatly to the development of human society. Today, whenever there is any doubt or embarrassment, humans consult with such machines on a daily basis. Computers have become partners of humanity indispensable to our lives.

Do you know that even partners that always tell us the answers to our doubts are actually

weak in certain areas? Modern computers are not good at processes called "combinatorial optimization", which are the problems to find the best option from among multiple combinations. Modern computers calculate using electronic bits. In other words, all information is represented by binary numbers of 0 and 1 and processed. However, in order to process this "combinatorial optimization", the amount of information becomes so much that it takes time.

In order to find the optimal solution, the electronic computer verifies and confirms whether or not the processing result is optimum

In recent years, quantum computing is attracting attention. The world has to address a large amount of data overflows to solve "Combinatorial Optimization", which is too massive

for current computers. Can quantum computers be the savior?

New technology - quantum computer

37New technology - quantum computer

one by one by processing and processing all options and combinations with 0 and 1. In addition, the most complicated aspect of this combinatorial optimization is that the number of combinations increases exponentially. For example, there are 5,040 combinations in total for routes going around 7 locations. If the location is increased by 1 and becomes 8, it becomes 40,320 combinations. In case of 30 locations, the number of combinations is 10 quadrillion x 10 quadrillion (10,000 trillion multiplied by 10,000 trillion). It is said that it takes 800 million years even if Fujitsu's supercomputer K is used, and there is a limit in the existing computer system.

However, this "combinatorial optimization" is a problem that many companies are already faced, and an earlier solution is required. For example, if a

ride sharing service such as Uber or Grab combines and analyzes various factors such as weather, fatigue condition, presence of children, etc., they will be able to propose a more convenient pickup point than the place designated by the user. Also, in drug discovery, it takes a lot of time to select "optimal" from a large amount of ingredient combination.

In order to process such "combinatorial optimization", it is expected to utilize a quantum computer using a quantum bit (so-called "Qubit") instead of an electronic bit. What is the impact of a new computer equipped with a new "brain" on society? Quantum computing is very deep and still a subject of vigorous debate continues, but this article focuses on understanding the outline by various background readers, by expressing it as concise as possible.

▎Basics

What is a Quantum Computer ?

Quantum computers perform computer processing by using quantum bits with different behaviors from electronic bits

▎Structure of quantum computing

Quantum computers are installed in a strict and special environment so that extra external pressure is not exerted on quantum movements

Basics of quantum

Apparent conditions Central part

Substances

Comparison of electronic bit and quantum bit

Electronic bitQuantum is a generic term for substances smaller than atoms

● The central part is stored in the container● The central part and the outside are shielded by

multiple layers, thereby maintaining a delicate environment that realizes quantum computation

● A computer is installed on a low vibration floor so that no extra external pressure is applied at the time of calculation

● Through multiple filters, the processor part is cooled to 0.015 Kelvin degrees (175 times cold than universe)

● Inside the central part is an ultra vacuum environment where barometric pressure is about 1/10 billion of the atmospheric pressure

● The magnetic force is kept at 1 / 50,000 or less of the earth's magnetic field

Returns to the center of the command system every time and creates 0 or 1 state⇒Not suitable when many combinations are processed

because it takes long time

Quantum bit (Qubit)

Monitors and exchanges each other, and switches itself to the 0 or 1 state at high speed⇒Possible to process quickly even with many combinations

Command

Command

Command

I will changefrom 0 to 1

OK!

OK!

OK!

OK!

I will changefrom 0 to 1

01

01

Quantum

Atom

Atom Atom

Atom

AtomAtom

Cooling systems

Processer

Container

Low-vibration floor

Central part

Atom

Neutron

Neutron

Proton

Photon

Proton

Electron

Electron

Chart1

38 BayCurrent Consulting

What is a quantum computer

Mechanism of calculation using "quantum bits"

Quantum computer was created in the process of "quantum mechanics" which is the study of quantum movement. It is a technology that realizes high-speed processing by applying a calculation formula (i.e., algorithm) to special motion of "quantum bit" which is quantum carrying information. As shown in Chart 1, this qubit tries to set itself to an appropriate state (0 or 1) as if it were interacting with each other. On the other hand, the electronic bit used by the electronic computer returns to the central command system each time in order to form its state of 0 or 1 again. Unlike the electronic bit that waits for an instruction, the quantum bit realizes high speed by using its characteristics of judging and changing its own state. *1

Special operating environment required

Because the quantum bits are very delicate, it is one of the difficulties to prepare special environments when actually operating a quantum computer. Normally, the central part of the quantum computer is installed inside the container above the low vibration floor. The central part is isolated from the outside with multiple layers, and the internal temperature, pressure and magnetism are set to an extremely low level compared with the natural environment of the earth. A special environment is necessary in order not to adversely affect the special movement of the very small quantum bit (called “noise”).

Why quantum computers now?

Quantum computers are still at the research stage. Companies such as D-Wave in Canada, Fujitsu and Hitachi in Japan provide commercial services, but not many algorithms to realize speeding up are established yet. Nonetheless, why are quantum computers now beginning to gain popularity?

①IT needs environmental friendliness

Due to the special operating environment, you may imagine that a huge cost is required. In fact, however, compared to electronic computers, low power consumption is also an advantage of quantum computers. The special environment mentioned above is only the chip part of the quantum computer, and its size is several cubic centimeters only. Actual power consumption falls within a few hundredth of that of supercomputers, and it is the quantum computer that is expected to make environmentally friendly IT systems as well. IT service companies such as Google and Amazon are often pursued that the power consumption of large data centers is not environmentally friendly, and Google has started to develop quantum computers on their own. Today as digital services have become commonplace, new computers are also required for the global environment.

②Business opportunities for combinatorial optimization

As mentioned above, quantum computers are good at combinatorial optimization. The value of solving this problem is very large.

Mobility service by advanced route optimization

For example, autonomous technology is surely the biggest concern for companies such as automobile manufacturing and ride sharing service providers. When realizing this autonomous driving, combinatorial optimization must be addressed. When providing transport services to consumers using autonomous vehicles, the difference in quality of service will depend on whether they can provide better routes more quickly. In order to calculate the optimal solution, it is necessary to consider not only the travel distance and the current location of the vehicles but also other data elements such as road congestion situation, riding situation of the entire neighboring area, user's current location, road closure due to the weather, and so on. Furthermore, these situations change in real time. For example, if a computer continues to recommend the same route to many automated vehicles, that route will be crowded. In other words, by analyzing data at each moment, it is necessary to calculate in a very short time.

39New technology - quantum computer

Volkswagen is one of the companies that has promised quantum computer research earlier, assuming such a future society. Mr. Hofmann, the company's CIO, announced the vision of Quantum Enhanced Optimization at the quantum computer event in 2017. For the on-demand mobility service (urban transportation service using cars), they announced that they will verify the travel route optimization of vehicles with a quantum computer. On top of automatic driving that allows you to move without having a handle, they intend to add value for further convenience and efficiency.

Multifaceted cause analysis for product quality improvement

Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturing company in France, examines the application of quantum computers to the cause analysis on aircraft failure called “fault tree analysis”. Various factors interact with each other in such a failure. Also, the chain that it affects the next element continues. In the case of a large aircraft handled by Airbus, the number of combinations is enormous. For that analysis, 3% of the company's IT budget was spent on hardware such as supercomputers, but they decided to invest in quantum computers suitable for combinatorial optimization. Although

it is still in trial use, the company said, "When using a quantum computer, even if the scale of the problem increased, processing time did not change," and they will continue research.

Further personal optimization of advertisements

Quantum computers are also expected to be utilized in online advertisements. Personal optimization of advertising is a very difficult theme. If they would like to match many product advertisements to individual attributes such as consumer age, family composition, hobbies / preferences, purchase history, etc., the number of combinations is unimaginable. Also, since these elements change day by day, it is necessary to always analyze in real time. Recruit Holdings Co in Japan has taken up quantum computers early on this subject and started research. In particular, once digital services become popular, it is difficult for other companies to follow up. Like Amazon and Google, overwriting the de facto standard service is not easy. It is noteworthy whether quantum computers will bring marketing competitive advantage.

Major case studies of quantum computer utilization

Automobile

Userindustries

ITindustries

Manufacturing

Advertising

Hardware and infra-structure

Software and services

While some companies are aiming for new service deployment and operation transformation using quantum computer, consulting and software development support business to identify how to utilize it are emerging

Industries Utilization areas and impacts Examples

Advanced route optimization using many data elements

Calculate the optimum route using more data elements and realize efficient autonomous driving vehicles and advanced car dispatch services

Volkswagen

Anticipated future autonomous service provision and started research and development of quantum compurer

Detailed failure analysis of products

Analyze failure factors that involve many complex combinations, and lead to product improvement

Airbus

Started experimental use of quantum computer toward speeding up failure cause analysis of large aircraft

High precision personal optimization of advertisement

Even if data elements and combinations are increased for optimization, calculate with quantum computer faster than electronic one

Recruit

Started research and development as well as and in-house use of quantum computer to be a leading company in advertisement optimization

Quantum computer sales and cloud service

Sell to the above industry using quantum mechanics at the research stage, and expand sales by appealing the ease of cloud

D-Wave and Fujitsu

Released hardware and cloud services respectively in 2011 and 2018

Development environment, consulting and business application business

Since hardware and infrastructure have matured, propose and support more effective ways to use them

1Qbit

Provide a development environment by partnering with D-Wave and Fujitsu

Chart2

40 BayCurrent Consulting

Future of quantum computers

Research on quantum computers has already started since the 1980's, but it has not been much more than desk research. However, since D-wave in Canada began to commercialize quantum computers in 2011, IT vendors are increasingly entering the market. However, Professor Nishimori of Tokyo Institute of Technology said, "Quantum computing can perform better in some problems only, and we should not misunderstand that it is a next generation dream computer." As the professor says, the area where quantum computers can be used at the present time is mainly "combinatorial optimization". In the long future, as a result of various algorithms research, there is a possibility that usage scenes will expand. But, in the short term, research on this problem will continue. So, how will quantum computers be used in the coming 10 years?

A hybrid of electronic and quantum computer is a realistic solution

Quantum computers are not versatile. Personal computers that people normally use will never suddenly become quantum computers, and not all supercomputers will be replaced with quantum computers. Rather, it is expected that the use of quantum computers will increase mainly for optimization and combinations that they are good at. In other words, quantum computer is not a substitute technology of current computer, we will use both computers together.Among some trends, one of the most noteworthy things is the "cloud" quantum computer. As of September 2018, D-Wave in Canada and Fujitsu in Japan have already provided the services, and the environments where research institutions and companies can experience are being prepared. Rather, in order not to miss business opportunities of combinatorial optimization, it would be better for companies to experience quantum computers early.

From hardware competition to soft layer competition

In the future, competition in not only hardware

but also software layer such as algorithm development environment, business application development and implementation support services will intensify. 1Qbit, which provides software development for quantum computers, has partnered with D-Wave and Fujitsu and raised cumulative tens of millions of dollars (billions of yen) from the market. Meanwhile, the amount of funds raised by Cambridge Quantum Computing Co., which is running OS for quantum computers and standard software development, has reached a cumulative total of about USD 45 million (JPY 5 billion). Furthermore, QunaSys raised hundreds of thousands of dollars (tens of millions of yen) in April 2018 in Japan. Competition of the soft layer is beginning all over the world. Naturally services that integrate latest hardware technology and software pursuing convenience are very competitive like iPhone and AWS. Although it is said that it takes time to put the quantum computer's element technology into practical use, this competition will accelerate faster than ever before.

Conclusion

It is no doubt that the quantum computer is still in the research and development stage. Companies that introduce it earlier may not be able to incorporate it into their services or products at the moment. However, once technology and algorithms are completed, overwhelming performance can be realized in which processing that takes several years on current supercomputers such as machine learning and development of population intelligence can be completed in a few seconds. Google also commented in 2017 that in the Nature magazine, "When the quantum computer exceeds the existing computer performance even a little, the benefit is monopolized by the developer." There may be few opportunities for ordinary consumers to directly touch quantum computers, but it will certainly become part of the foundation underpinning their near future lives.

Mitsuki Nishino:

Senior Manager, BayCurrent Consulting Singapore Office

Copyright © 2019 BayCurrent Consulting Inc. All rights reserved.

41New technology - quantum computer