Xanadu, Rolls-Royce, and Riverlane have successfully completed a collaborative project demonstrating dramatic improvements in modeling jet engine airflow simulations using a hybrid quantum-classical approach. The collaboration reduced simulation runtimes for Rolls-Royce by orders of magnitude—shrinking calculation costs from weeks to less than an hour, thereby accelerating prototyping for the aerospace industry.
The project targeted airflow simulation, a challenge for classical supercomputers due to the large system of linear equations involved. The solution integrated three core components: Xanadu’s PennyLane software, Riverlane’s novel quantum algorithms, and Xanadu’s Catalyst compiler to optimize the quantum-classical program. Xanadu CEO Christian Weedbrook stated that the efforts successfully reduced prototyping runtimes by up to 1,000-fold in some instances, underscoring the necessity of optimizing the hybrid quantum-classical structure to achieve a computational advantage.
The project demonstrated a critical path toward future quantum-accelerated design processes, focusing on Fault-Tolerant Quantum (FTQ) algorithms. Rolls-Royce noted that the focus on FTQ algorithms positions the partners in a leading position as the industry enters the error-corrected era. The work highlights how quantum technology can be integrated into production engineering workflows by tackling key bottlenecks like time-consuming classical preprocessing.
The collaboration was supported through joint funding from the governments of Canada and the United Kingdom. This achievement precedes Xanadu’s planned public listing via a business combination with Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp..
Read the full announcement here and the related feature here.
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