You can now buy a DIY quantum computer

Quantum computers were once considered futuristic technology, but a new DIY kit now allows individuals with sufficient resources and technical expertise to construct one themselves.

Qilimanjaro, a quantum computing company based in Barcelona, has developed EduQit, a kit that takes a “flatpack furniture” approach. This kit provides all necessary components, leaving the assembly to the customer.

EduQit features a chip composed of small superconducting circuits, forming the core of the quantum computer. The kit also includes a specialized refrigerator to house and connect the chip, and a suite of electronic devices that use radio and microwaves to manage and interpret the chip’s computations. The package is completed with various racks, power cables, and other necessary devices.

Assembling the kit is not a simple task; however, it comes with guidance. According to Marta Estarellas from Qilimanjaro, the company provides training and support throughout the assembly process. This training can last up to three months, with the entire system expected to be operational after at least 10 months of effort.

The EduQit quantum computer contains five qubits, which is significantly smaller than the most advanced current devices, but it is priced at around €1 million, making it more accessible. Typically, quantum computers are developed by major tech companies or well-funded start-ups and research facilities. In comparison, Google aims to reduce its component costs by a factor of 10 to bring the cost of a single machine below $1 billion.

Currently, smaller commercial quantum machines are available, but they do not come as complete kits. For instance, Rigetti, based in California, offers a compact superconducting quantum computer for research and development at approximately $900,000, which includes just the main chip and a few components. This is akin to purchasing only the motherboard of a traditional computer without the peripherals. Research teams must source the remaining parts themselves.

Qilimanjaro targets its kit at research institutions where limited resources have been a barrier to accessing quantum computing technology. The company aims to provide the next generation of researchers with practical experience in building and operating quantum computers.

While quantum computers can be accessed via the cloud or through simulations, EduQit offers students the chance to gain practical skills, according to Estarellas. This kit could serve as a quantum equivalent of the Raspberry Pi, initially created as an educational tool but later adopted widely by hobbyists and researchers.

Quantum computers hold the potential to solve complex calculations that are currently beyond the capabilities of the best supercomputers. These range from decrypting internet security to simulating molecular behavior for drug discovery. However, the chips remain delicate and susceptible to errors, and advancing quantum computing depends on improved protection and control methods.

A quantum computer like EduQit would have rivaled state-of-the-art devices in top labs about a decade ago. Its availability as a DIY kit highlights the progress made in quantum computing over recent years.

Katia Moskovitch from Quantum Machines notes that there are numerous unanswered questions in the field of quantum computing, and expanding access to these technologies may lead to new insights and solutions.