NEC's vector-based simulated annealing machine

NEC is making a full-scale entry into the quantum computing domain. From April to June 2020, the company will launch a co-creation service to solve combinatorial optimization problems, including the use of annealing machines that employ the SX Aurora Tsubasa vector supercomputer. Prior to this, the company will establish a new 20-person Quantum Computing Promotion Office in January 2008 to promote the development of applications and technologies through joint demonstrations with customers. The company plans to invest about 1 billion yen in Canada's D-Wave Systems for collaboration. On the other hand, the quantum annealing system will be based on a domestically developed machine jointly developed with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and D-wave, which will be a collaborative partner. The joint development with AIST is currently verifying the operation of a basic quantum cell. Photo taken on December 20, 2019, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images