The Eurecat technology center has begun the deployment of the QuantIA Lab, a new quantum emulation infrastructure unique in Catalonia, designed to accelerate R&D&I of the business fabric and solve real industry challenges through advanced quantum computing, artificial intelligence and quantum emulation technologies.
The new facility will be located at the Eurecat headquarters in Cerdanyola del Vallès and will have a progressive implementation that is expected to be completed at the beginning of 2027. The project involves an investment of more than 7 million euros, which will allow the promotion of quantum emulation capabilities applied to the business environment.
Within the framework of the QuantIA Lab, Eurecat will be able to accompany business innovation with solutions based on quantum computing and emulation, thanks to a 34-qubit quantum gate emulator and a digital annealer, complemented by a high-performance computing cluster. With this new equipment, Eurecat “takes a leap in the research and transfer of quantum and quantum emulation technologies to companies, to accompany them in the development of real pilots and obtaining tangible competitive advantages,” highlights Eurecat’s Director of Research and Technology, Myriam García-Berro.
Safe environment to experiment and validate
According to the principal investigator of Eurecat’s Quantum Computing Research Line, Adan Garriga, the QuantIA Lab “will complement the services of the center’s multidisciplinary team, which already combines knowledge of quantum physics, artificial intelligence, software development and quantum emulation.” The objective is to offer the business community “a safe and stable environment to experiment and validate algorithms through quantum emulation, and prepare for the moment when quantum computers are fully operational.”
Unlike real quantum systems, which require cryogenic temperatures and present stability challenges, “the QuantIA Lab’s quantum emulation assets will be implemented with semiconductor processors. This will allow them to operate in conventional environmental conditions, without coherence errors and with lower operating costs,” adds the scientific director of Eurecat’s Digital Area, Joan Mas.
In addition, it is planned that the infrastructure will be powered by renewable energy, which will allow quantum emulation to be developed under criteria of sustainability and energy efficiency.
Cutting-edge equipment for quantum simulation
The QuantIA Lab’s 34-qubit quantum gate emulator will advance quantum emulation techniques by simulating the behavior of quantum circuits using classical electronics and under standard operating conditions. This quantum emulation approach represents a milestone in addressing the current limitations of quantum computers based on physical qubits.
This asset “will facilitate the design, validation and optimization of quantum algorithms and Quantum Machine Learning through quantum emulation, before taking them to a real quantum computer, which will reduce costs, risks and development times,” highlights Adan Garriga.
This capacity is complemented by a digital annealer, capable of solving complex combinatorial optimization problems, expanding the applications of quantum emulation in industrial environments. This technology will make it possible to address challenges such as industrial planning, logistics optimization or the design of new materials, promoting the use of quantum emulation as a practical tool for innovation.
All this infrastructure will be supported by a high-performance computing cluster, which will allow the development of hybrid solutions where quantum emulation and traditional computing are combined to maximize results.
Acceleration of multi-sector innovation
QuantIA Lab technologies will have a multi-sector impact thanks to quantum emulation capabilities, especially in areas such as healthcare and biotechnology, where they will advance molecular simulation and drug discovery.
QuantIA Lab technologies will have a multi-sector impact thanks to quantum emulation capabilities
Likewise, quantum emulation will impact chemistry and advanced materials, robotics and manufacturing, energy and water and environmental management, providing new optimization, prediction and analysis capabilities in each of these sectors.
Quantum Strategic Alliance
The deployment of the QuantIA Lab coincides with the launch of ARQADE, a network of excellence that seeks to apply quantum computing, artificial intelligence and quantum emulation to solve critical security and defense challenges. Eurecat will bring its expertise in quantum algorithms, AI and quantum emulation to develop practical applications in complex scenarios, such as autonomous navigation without GPS or the protection of essential infrastructure.
