Innovate UK has awarded a £1.65 million grant to a consortium led by TreQ, including Rigetti, Oxford Ionics, Q-CTRL, and Qruise, to develop an Open Architecture Quantum (OAQ) Testbed as part of the UK’s National Quantum Strategy. The project aims to create a modular and extensible quantum computing system capable of integrating multiple processors, control systems, and software stacks, enabling rapid testing across different configurations.
TreQ will oversee the design, construction, and operation of the testbed in Oxfordshire, with contributions from consortium members providing advanced calibration tools, quantum processing units, and AI-powered technologies to support interoperability and scalability. The initiative is part of a broader £121 million investment by Innovate UK to accelerate quantum technology commercialization.
Innovate UK has awarded 1.65 million pounds to a consortium led by TreQ, which includes Rigetti, Oxford Ionics, Q-CTRL, and Qruise. This funding is part of the Quantum Missions Pilot under the National Quantum Strategy, aimed at advancing quantum computing technologies.
The project focuses on developing an Open Architecture Quantum Testbed (OAQ Testbed), a modular system designed to integrate various quantum hardware and software components. The testbed will support eight different configurations, utilizing diverse processors and control systems to enhance flexibility and adaptability in quantum research.
Key contributions include advanced calibration tools from Q-CTRL and Qruise, alongside Rigetti’s Novera Quantum Processing Unit (QPU) and Oxford Ionics’ cutting-edge technology. These elements collectively aim to streamline R&D by bridging the gap between simulation and reality in quantum computing.
This initiative underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing quantum technologies, fostering innovation and collaboration within the field. Additionally, TreQ’s receipt of another grant earlier this year highlights their pivotal role in driving forward quantum computing advancements.
The consortium brings together leading experts in quantum computing, each contributing unique capabilities to the project. TreQ leads the systems engineering and manufacturing aspects, while Rigetti provides its expertise in full-stack quantum computing, including cloud services and hardware fabrication. Oxford Ionics contributes cutting-edge trapped ion technology with world-record performance metrics, already deployed in major quantum computing centers.
Q-CTRL adds specialized software for advanced calibration and control of quantum systems, complemented by Qruise’s innovative physics-based AI solutions to bridge the gap between simulation and real-world applications.
The Open Architecture Quantum Testbed (OAQ Testbed) project, led by TreQ and supported by Rigetti, Oxford Ionics, Q-CTRL, and Qruise, aims to advance quantum computing technologies through a modular system designed to integrate diverse hardware and software components. This initiative is part of the Quantum Missions Pilot under the National Quantum Strategy, focusing on overcoming technical challenges and improving scalability in quantum systems.
The OAQ Testbed supports eight different configurations, utilizing diverse processors and control systems to enhance flexibility and adaptability in quantum research. This collaborative effort integrates complementary strengths across hardware, software, and systems engineering, aiming to accelerate progress in quantum computing by streamlining R&D and improving efficiency in system design and operation.
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