Google and Nasa will share access to a $10 million D-Wave Two
"quantum" computer expected to go online in autumn, 2013.
A Google announcement explains that the computer will be part of
a Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab located at Nasa's Ames
Research Centre. According to Forbes, the actual contract for the machine is
between D-Wave and the Universities Space Research Association
(USRA) and so 20 percent of the available time will also be
dedicated to university research teams.
The Lab is being set up with the goal "to study how quantum
computing might advance machine learning". In other words, to use
quantum hardware to try to construct models which help solve real
world problems or test theories.
There has been some debate over whether the D-Wave Two actually
makes use of quantum computing at all (hence the quotes in that
first paragraph). However, a study by various engineers
and quantum physics specialists concluded earlier in 2013 that
the D-Wave One makes use of quantum annealing -- a method which
takes advantage of quantum effects to solve optimisation
"We hope it helps researchers construct more efficient and more
accurate models for everything from speech recognition, to web
search, to protein folding," said Google's official statement
regarding the Lab. "We actually think quantum machine learning may
provide the most creative problem-solving process under the known
laws of physics. We're excited to get started with Nasa Ames,
D-Wave, the USRA, and scientists from around the world."
"Three world class organisations and their research teams will
use the D-Wave Two to develop real world applications and to
support research from leading academic institutions," said Vern Brownell, CEO of D-Wave. "This joint effort shows
that quantum computing has expanded beyond the theoretical realm
and into the worlds of business and technology."