Volkswagen has introduced a promising solution to alleviate the heavy traffic congestion in Beijing, one of the world’s most densely populated cities.
In a recent collaboration with D-Wave Systems, a leader in quantum computing, VW devised an algorithm aimed at improving traffic flow and tested it on D-Wave’s quantum computers using data sourced from 10,000 taxis in Beijing. The results showed a significant reduction in congestion by efficiently selecting optimal routes for each vehicle, as reported by VW.
Quantum computers surpass traditional supercomputers in speed and capabilities, functioning under the principles of quantum mechanics. This allows them to encode information in ways beyond the binary “0s” and “1s” used by conventional computers, enabling them to conduct calculations at a much faster pace.
VW claims to be the first car manufacturer to explore quantum computing for traffic management, though it is not the only organization focusing on data-driven traffic solutions. Last year, the World Bank collaborated with several ridesharing companies to utilize GPS data from taxis to alleviate congestion. Similarly, Uber has tested sharing user data with city governments for traffic insights.
Volkswagen envisions quantum computing playing a role in diverse areas such as autonomous driving, robotic manufacturing, machine learning, and “intelligent mobility solutions.” The company intends to further explore this technology, concentrating on developing specialized expertise and practical applications in the near future.
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