Workforce Foresighting in Quantum Sensing adopts a technology-agnostic approach to address future capabilities across various quantum sensors for transport applications, including magnetometry, gravimetry, and quantum clocks. This initiative, part of Digital Catapult’s efforts in CreaTech, involves industry, skills, and technology participants from sectors like the Department for Transport and academic institutions such as Imperial College London.
The findings highlight the need for core quantum skills alongside supporting technical and business capabilities, with a focus on engineering roles ranging from research fellows to systems engineers and technician positions. Despite current educational provisions not fully aligning with future needs due to the emerging nature of quantum technologies, there is potential to adapt existing resources. Moving forward, a working group will address these gaps, aiming to enhance the UK’s capability to develop and adopt quantum sensing technologies for transport resilience and efficiency.
Quantum Sensors for PNT and Infrastructure Monitoring
The development and adoption of quantum sensing technologies in transport require a combination of core quantum skills, such as quantum mechanics, alongside supporting technical capabilities like photonic design and system implementation. Additionally, general technical skills, including maintenance, and business skills, such as analytics, are essential.
Key participants include industry leaders, academic institutions, and government bodies. For instance, the Department for Transport collaborates with Imperial College London on quantum-enabled Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) initiatives. Similarly, Digital Catapult and Transport for London work with Glasgow University on quantum sensing projects focused on imaging and timing.
The findings highlight that system integrators play a crucial role due to the need for field trials, benchmarking, and minimizing environmental noise in quantum systems. Given the nascent stage of these technologies, much of the current activity is centered around design and prototyping. Engineering roles dominate, reflecting the technology’s developmental phase.
PhD-level expertise is vital for research and development, particularly in creating core technologies. Various engineering roles are necessary to refine and implement sensors, encompassing both hardware and software domains. Technician roles, such as Quality Assurance Testers and Maintenance Technicians, are also significant.
Due to the emerging nature of quantum technologies, a gap exists between current educational offerings and future skill requirements. However, existing educational resources can address most needs with some adaptation and targeted programs to fill gaps.
A working group has been established to implement report findings and discuss dissemination strategies. A trailblazer group will focus on developing apprenticeships in collaboration with IfATE (Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education). The aim is to enhance transport functionalities, reduce costs, and improve resilience by successfully adopting quantum sensing technologies.
The visualisation tool mentioned can aid further analysis or dissemination of findings, supporting ongoing efforts in this field.
Participants and Stakeholders in Quantum Sensing Development
The development of quantum sensing technologies in transport involves diverse participants and stakeholders, including industry leaders, academic institutions, and government bodies. These entities collaborate to advance the field through research, prototyping, and implementation. For example, partnerships such as those between the Department for Transport and Imperial College London focus on quantum-enabled Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) initiatives, while collaborations like Digital Catapult with Transport for London and Glasgow University target imaging and timing applications.
System integrators play a critical role in this domain, mainly due to the need for field trials, benchmarking, and reducing environmental noise in quantum systems. The current technology development phase is primarily centered on design and prototyping, necessitating expertise across multiple disciplines. PhD-level researchers are essential for developing core technologies, while engineers specializing in hardware and software are required to refine and implement sensors.
Technician roles, such as Quality Assurance Testers and Maintenance Technicians, are also vital for ensuring the reliability and functionality of quantum sensing systems. Despite the emerging nature of these technologies, existing educational resources can address most skill requirements with some adaptation, though targeted programs will be needed to fill specific gaps in training.
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