Amazon has launched Braket Direct, a programme offering quantum researchers private access to quantum processing units (QPUs) without queues or wait times. The service provides expert guidance and early access to limited-availability features and devices. Recently, another announcement saw Amazon introduce its new QPU.
Users can reserve entire machines on IonQ Aria, QuEra Aquila, and Rigetti Aspen-M-3 devices. They can also engage with experts from IonQ, Oxford Quantum Circuits, QuEra, Rigetti, or Amazon Quantum Solutions Lab. The service offers access to experimental capabilities, starting with IonQ’s 30-qubit Forte device. Braket Direct is available in all AWS Regions where Amazon Braket is available.
Amazon’s New Quantum Computing Program: Braket Direct
Amazon has launched Braket Direct, which is designed to aid quantum researchers in exploring quantum computing. This program provides exclusive, uninterrupted access to various quantum processing units (QPUs) and allows users to connect with quantum computing specialists for expert advice. It also offers early access to limited-availability features and devices for advanced research on noisy quantum devices.
Braket Direct was introduced following the 2020 launch of Amazon Braket, which provided on-demand access to various QPUs using shared, public availability windows. The new program allows users to reserve the entire machine for a specific period on IonQ Aria, QuEra Aquila, and Rigetti Aspen-M-3 devices. This is particularly useful for running complex, long-duration, time-sensitive workloads or conducting live events such as training workshops and hackathons.
“Today, we are announcing the availability of Braket Direct, a new Amazon Braket program that helps quantum researchers dive deeper into quantum computing. This program lets you get dedicated, private access to the full capacity of various quantum processing units (QPUs) without any queues or wait times, connect with quantum computing specialists to receive expert guidance for your workloads, and get early access to features and devices with limited availability to conduct cutting-edge research on today’s noisy quantum devices.”
Engaging with Quantum Computing Experts
Braket Direct users can now engage directly with the program’s experts through free office hours or one-on-one, hands-on reservation prep sessions. For more in-depth research collaborations, users can connect with specialists from quantum hardware providers such as IonQ, Oxford Quantum Circuits, QuEra, Rigetti, or Amazon Quantum Solutions Lab, a dedicated professional services team.
Amazon Braket: A Cloud-based Quantum Computing Service
Amazon Braket is a fully managed service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that facilitates the exploration and experimentation with quantum computing. It provides a development environment for researchers, scientists, and developers to access and work with quantum computing hardware from different providers. Through Braket, users can access various quantum technologies, including gate-based superconducting qubits and quantum annealing, from quantum hardware providers like Rigetti, IonQ, and D-Wave. The service also includes a simulated environment for testing and troubleshooting quantum algorithms. Amazon Braket is designed to make it easier for users to get started with quantum computing, providing a unified interface for building and testing quantum algorithms without the need for in-depth knowledge of the hardware specifics.

Access to Experimental Capabilities
Braket Direct also provides access to experimental capabilities that have limited or reduced availability. This includes IonQ’s highest fidelity, 30-qubit Forte device. This feature allows users to truly push the boundaries of their research.
To start with Braket Direct, users can go to the Amazon Braket console and choose Braket Direct in the left pane. This will display new features such as quantum hardware reservation, expert advice, and access to next-generation quantum hardware and features. Users can request a quantum hardware reservation, provide their contact information, and detail the workload they wish to execute using their reservation.
Support from Quantum Computing Experts
Braket Direct users can get in touch with quantum experts and receive advice about their workload. With Braket office hours, experts can help users go from ideation to execution faster. Users can explore their device to fit their use case, identify options to make the best use of Braket for their algorithm, and get recommendations on how to use certain Braket features.
“You can now use Braket Direct to reserve the entire dedicated machine for a period of time on IonQ Aria, QuEra Aquila, and Rigetti Aspen-M-3 devices for running your most complex, long-running, time-sensitive workloads, or conducting live events such as training workshops and hackathons, where you pay only for what you reserve.”
Access to Cutting-Edge Capabilities
With Braket Direct, users can request early access to innovative new capabilities, such as new quantum devices with limited availability. Currently, users can get reservation-only access to IonQ’s highest-fidelity Forte QPU. Due to its limited availability, this device is currently only available through Braket Direct reservations.
Quick Summary
Amazon has launched Braket Direct, a programme that offers researchers private access to quantum processing units for in-depth quantum computing research. The service also provides early access to limited-availability features and devices, expert guidance, and the ability to reserve entire machines for complex, time-sensitive workloads.
“Since its launch in 2020, Amazon Braket has democratized access to quantum computing by offering on-demand access to various QPUs using shared, public availability windows, where you only pay for the duration of your reservation.”
“Braket Direct expands on our commitment to accelerate research and innovation in quantum computing without requiring any upfront fees or long-term commitments.”
- Amazon has launched a new program called Braket Direct, aimed at aiding quantum researchers in their work.
- The program offers private access to various quantum processing units (QPUs) without any wait times, expert guidance, and early access to limited-availability features and devices.
- Users can reserve entire machines for a period of time on IonQ Aria, QuEra Aquila, and Rigetti Aspen-M-3 devices.
- The program also offers free office hours or one-on-one sessions with Braket’s experts.
- Users can also connect with specialists from quantum hardware providers such as IonQ, Oxford Quantum Circuits, QuEra, Rigetti, or Amazon Quantum Solutions Lab.
- The program provides access to experimental capabilities with limited availability, starting with IonQ’s highest fidelity, 30-qubit Forte device.
- Braket Direct does not require any upfront fees or long-term commitments.
- To get started, users can go to the Amazon Braket console and choose Braket Direct. They can then request a quantum hardware reservation, get support from quantum computing experts, and gain access to cutting-edge capabilities.
- Braket Direct is now available in all AWS Regions where Amazon Braket is available.
