Volkswagen and Google want to jointly explore the potential of quantum computing, with the aim of developing specialized knowledge and conducting research oriented towards the automobile.
As part of this collaboration, a team of experts from Volkswagen and Google will work together using a quantum computer from Google. Quantum computers can solve highly complex tasks, considerably faster than conventional supercomputers with binary processing.
The Volkswagen IT Group wants to progress in three areas of development in Google's quantum computer.
- At the first project , Volkswagen experts are working on further development of traffic optimization. They are working on projects that have already been successfully completed and now want to consider additional variables as well as reducing travel times. These include urban traffic guidance systems, available electric charging stations or vacant parking spaces.
- on one second project , Volkswagen experts aim to simulate and optimize the structure of high-performance batteries for electric vehicles and other materials. The Volkswagen Group's research and development experts hope that this approach will provide new information for vehicle construction and battery research.
- One third project it concerns the development of new machine learning processes. Such learning is a key technology for the development of advanced artificial intelligence systems, which are a prerequisite for autonomous driving.
The Volkswagen Group is the first automobile manufacturer in the world to work intensively on quantum computing technology. In March 2017, Volkswagen announced its first successful research project completed on a quantum computer: an optimization of traffic flow for 10,000 taxis in the Chinese capital, Beijing.