Kipu Quantum’s Algorithms Used For BASF Logistics Optimization

Insider Brief

• Kipu Quantum explores the potential of its novel quantum algorithms for BASF’s logistics optimization.
• Kipu Quantum is a German quantum software company specializing in application- and hardware-specific quantum solutions.
• The company’s scientists used a novel digital compression method to accelerate the search for optimal solutions by harnessing quantum dynamics and encoding them into digital quantum computers.

PRESS RELEASE — Kipu Quantum, a German quantum software company specializing in application- and hardware-specific quantum solutions, explores the potential of its novel quantum algorithms for BASF’s logistics optimization. Utilizing a novel digital compression method, Kipu accelerates the search for optimal solutions by harnessing quantum dynamics and encoding them into digital quantum computers.

In a recent project with BASF, the world’s largest chemical company, Kipu addressed two complex logistics scenarios: optimizing robot scheduling for laboratory floor and determining the shortest route for the traveling salesperson. Kipu applied an innovative Digitized Counterdiabatic Quantum Optimization (DCQO) approach, which utilizes quantum dynamics, effectively encoding the optimization scenarios into digital quantum computers to outperform traditional algorithms like QAOA.

“Kipu’s novel algorithm represents a significant advancement in quantum optimization, delivering highest performance of a circuit model QC algorithm on the tested optimization scenarios. There is still a long way to go for this method to offer a business benefit, nonetheless, DCQO is the best we can do on circuit model QC”, said Dr. Abhishek Awasthi, quantum computing scientist at BASF. “Quantum computing for optimized logistics will create additional value for our customers and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our processes.”

“This collaboration with BASF and the success of our digital compression methods mark a significant milestone for real-world applications of quantum computing, particularly in the NISQ-era”, said Daniel Volz, CEO of Kipu Quantum. “Our application- and hardware-specific quantum computing solutions drastically reduce the requirements for solving industry use cases.”

The latest paper on the DCQO technologies for BASF’s logistics scheduling were published here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.15707