IonQ, in collaboration with DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron), has demonstrated the potential of quantum computing to optimize airport flight gate operations. By leveraging IonQ Aria, the research aimed to address challenges such as minimizing traveler transit time and aircraft idle time while increasing gate throughput. The study utilized logarithmic-linear encoding to execute flight-gate optimization algorithms, showcasing the feasibility of handling complex scenarios involving multiple variables. The results signify a significant advancement in quantum computing’s applicability to real-world optimization problems, spanning various industries. IonQ plans to extend its research using IonQ Forte and IonQ Tempo, targeting optimization needs for European airports. This collaboration underscores IonQ’s commitment to developing quantum applications for diverse sectors. Additional information is available in a press release published on the IonQ website here. Also, a blog about this research is available here and a preprint paper has been posted on arXiv here.
March 14, 2024
