Today’s quantum computers require constant, hands-on attention from highly trained researchers just to keep a handful of qubits stable. This project aims to automate that process so that hundreds or even thousands of qubits can be controlled at once—without a human in the loop. The biggest bottleneck in quantum computing is scaling up: existing control methods become overwhelmed as more qubits are added. This consortium of UK companies and universities will build a universal control system that works across different types of quantum hardware. They will also use machine learning to automatically tune qubits and maximise the time they remain stable and usable. If successful, this work could remove the main obstacle to commercially useful quantum computers. That would transform industries that rely on complex calculations—such as drug discovery, materials development, and finance—by making problems solvable that are currently intractable. The project also strengthens the UK’s quantum supply chain by linking hardware makers, software developers, and metrology experts in a single effort.
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Quantum computers are a new type of powerful computer. They are based on building blocks called qubits. For quantum computers to work, we need to be able to control qubits in a predictable way. Controlling just one or two qubits is often the culmination of several years' work in a laboratory and can only be performed by highly trained researchers. Qubits are extremely fragile and require constant delicate attention, like the continuous tweaks of a circus performer keeping a plate spinning. With each new plate, the amount of computing power to keep them spinning increases. Eventually, with so many plates in the air at the same time, existing control methods quickly become overwhelmed. For quantum computing to become commercially useful, we need to be able to control hundreds or even thousands of qubits at the same time. This is the biggest bottleneck in quantum computing. We will solve this challenge by building a system that can control hundreds of qubits and that can be used across different types of quantum computers. We will also use a type of artificial intelligence called machine learning to automate the tuning of qubits and maximise the time they are 'spinning in the air'. This project brings together the UK's leading quantum software company (Riverlane), quantum hardware companies (SeeQC UK, Oxford Ionics) and research organisations (NPL, University of Oxford). They develop different types of qubits that we can test our control system on. Mind Foundry, a University of Oxford spin-out, will develop the artificial intelligence framework that can automatically keep the qubits "spinning". The University of Edinburgh will detect the state of the quantum computer and guarantee optimum performance after intervention. We will work together to combine quantum software and artificial intelligence to build a control system for quantum computers that is powerful and intelligent. Our project brings together UK-based academic and industrial organisations to strengthen the UK quantum industry and help produce quantum computers that will transform the way several industries, such as finance, drug discovery and materials development, work.
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