BMW, Nvidia, Classiq Team on Quantum for EV Efficiency

Nvidia and BMW Group have partnered with quantum computing company Classiq Technologies to find the optimal architecture for electrical and mechanical systems in electric vehicles (EVs).

Determining the best combination of electromechanical components, such as electrical engines, batteries and coolers, and working out the best way to connect them is a complex computational challenge.

This project aims to determine whether quantum computing can help find the best design that enhances efficiency and reduces energy waste, with the aim of making EVs more efficient.

Classiq has begun exploring whether established quantum optimization algorithms, including the quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA) and the Harrow-Hassidim-Lloyd (HHL) algorithm, can be used on this problem.

BMW Group’s quantum experts created a complex quantum program, with many quantum sub-routines using Classiq’s modeling and compilation capabilities. The program was simulated using Nvidia GPUs and Nvidia’s CUDA-Q open-source platform for integrating and programming quantum processing units.

“Our collaboration with Classiq and Nvidia has enabled an innovative quantum implementation that pushes the boundaries of what is possible in the application to automotive technologies,” said BMW Group IT future compute lead Lukas Mueller.

Related:Nvidia Overtakes Microsoft as World's Most Valuable Company

“Nvidia quantum stack has been instrumental in simulating this complex algorithm, facilitating its detailed testing and refinement.”

Nvidia director of HPC and quantum computing Tim Costa added: “Quantum computing, which has the potential to transform society, will require accelerated computing with extreme performance for users to take full advantage of its value. Nvidia’s collaboration with innovators such as the BMW Group and Classiq is pushing the boundaries of quantum simulation and helping to usher in an era of useful quantum computing.”

Classiq CEO Nir Minerbi said that by bringing together quantum hardware, software and automotive domain expertise, the team had made significant advances in a short time.

As quantum computing is still a nascent technology, this project remains experimental for the time being. However, the teams plan to continue the collaboration to explore the interface between automotive technology and quantum computing.