Thales, Pasqal, the Île-de-France region and GENCI have just announced a new two-year partnership aimed at developing new methods for optimizing the planning and scheduling processes of critical systems through the use of Pasqal's quantum processor.
Planning (choosing the right policies and procedures to carry out a mission or project) and scheduling (converting project action plans into an operational timeline) are key steps in many mission-critical applications: logistics, air traffic control, industrial automation, resource allocation or disaster recovery support. Computational complexity and processing times explode as the size of the problem increases (number of events, resources or constraints). In other words, the main challenge is to adapt to the change in scale. Quantum computing could change all that. The aim of the project is to demonstrate how the quantum approach, by offering this potential for change of scale, is capable of providing an answer to this type of problem, which Thales is experimenting with in its various areas of expertise.
Based on a platform of more than 100 qubits, which offers very high connectivity and performance, Pasqal's quantum processors are capable of solving large-scale problems that conventional computing systems absolutely cannot handle.
This project is supported by the PAck Quantique (PAQ) program, an initiative launched in 2020 by the Île-de-France region, GENCI and Le Lab Quantique with a view to accelerating the development of the quantum industry in the Paris region and creating synergies between major industrial groups and startups.
Over a three-year period, the program is expected to strengthen the Paris region's - and more broadly France's - leadership in the quantum field on a European scale, as well as enhancing the international competitiveness of local companies. Another objective of the program is to promote the dynamism and attractiveness of the Île-de- France region to attract new companies.
"Thales is fully committed to the development of quantum technologies, particularly quantum sensors and communications, which will revolutionize many of its fields of application. This partnership with Pasqal, GENCI and the Île-de-France region gives us the opportunity to move forward on another important facet of quantum: that of quantum computing. With Pasqal, we'll be able to work on the design and resolution of optimization problems linked to real-life use cases of strategic importance to our customers, such as air traffic optimization or space mission scheduling." Bernhard Quendt, SVP CTO Thales
"We are absolutely delighted to be working on real-life use cases with a major technology player such as Thales. The techniques we will develop as part of this collaboration will be used in many of the areas in which Thales works. For Pasqal, creating value for the end user is a priority: we continue to push our technology, both hardware and software, to best meet our partners' needs and remove the obstacles that hold them back. With our partners - Thales, GENCI and the Île-de-France region - we are working hand in hand to build a cutting-edge quantum industry in the region." Georges-Olivier Reymond, CEO of Pasqal
"In collaboration with Le Lab Quantique, GENCI and the Île-de-France region have launched the Pack Quantique (PAQ) program to enable manufacturers and startups to move forward in the field of quantum computing. AQUAPS testifies to the combined efforts of Thales and Pasqal experts to integrate the quantum dimension into Thales's scheduling applications. This is the 4th project since the initiative was launched. Thanks to funding from the Conseil régional d'Île-de-France and the free access offered by GENCI to the future European infrastructure for hybrid intensive/quantum computing, this ambitious project will enable Thales and Pasqal to evaluate the scalability of the algorithm designed." Philippe Lavocat, Chief Executive Officer of GENCI and Alexandra Dublanche, Vice-President of the Île-de-France Regional Council, in charge of Recovery, Attractiveness, Economic Development and Innovation.
About GENCI
Created by public authorities in 2007, GENCI is a very large research infrastructure aimed at democratizing the use of digital simulation through intensive computing combined with the use of artificial intelligence, to support French scientific and industrial competitiveness.
GENCI pursues three missions:
- Implement the national strategy for equipping French open scientific research with HPC, storage and massive data processing resources associated with AI technologies, in conjunction with the three national computing centers;
- Support the realization of an integrated HPC ecosystem on a national and European scale;
- Promote digital simulation and HPC among academic researchers and industry.
GENCI is a civil company owned 49% by the French State represented by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, 20% by CEA, 20% by CNRS, 10% by the Universities represented by the Conference of University Presidents and 1% by Inria.
About Pasqal
Pasqal builds quantum processors based on ordered neutral atoms in large 2D and 3D arrays. Its aim: to bring a real quantum advantage to its customers, particularly in the field of complex simulations and optimizations. Founded in 2019 by Georges-Olivier Reymond, Christophe Jurczak, Professor Alain Aspect, Dr. Antoine Browaeys and Dr. Thierry Lahaye, startup Pasqal is located in Palaiseau and Massy, south of Paris. In April 2021, Pasqal completed a Series A financing round, led by Quantonation, its reference investor, and the Defense Innovation Fund, managed by Bpifrance on behalf of the Defense Innovation Agency (AID).
Website: www.pasqal.io
Twitter: @pasqalio
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/pasqal/
About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global high-tech leader investing in digital and deep tech innovations - connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum - to build a future of trust, essential to the development of our societies. The Group offers solutions, services and products that help its customers - companies, organizations, governments - in the fields of defense, aeronautics, space, transport and digital identity and security, to fulfill their critical missions by placing people at the heart of decision-making.
Thales has 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2020, the Group generated sales of 17 billion euros.
Press Contacts PASQAL
2, avenue Augustin Fresnel 91120 - Palaiseau
FRANCE
Tel: +33 1 64 53 32 35 Website: www.pasqal.iso
Thales, Media Relations Alice Pruvot
Tel: +33 1 57 77 89 52 alice.pruvot@thalesgroup.com
GENCI
Nicolas Belot
Tel: +33 7 60 99 95 10 Website: www.genci.fr