Bengaluru firm opens quantum foundry to accelerate quantum computing in Karnataka

Bengaluru-based deep-tech firm QpiAI inaugurated an 8-inch quantum foundry on Monday to bolster its capabilities in manufacturing quantum processors and hasten advancements in quantum computing technologies. The Phase 2 facility supports the production of flip-chip-based superconducting qubits with up to 128 qubits, while Phase 3, expected to conclude next year, aims to scale this capability to fabricate up to 10,000 physical qubits on a single quantum processing unit (QPU).

The foundry also enables the manufacture of peripheral chips and sensors utilized in quantum computers.

QpiAI has already developed four quantum processing units (QPUs), including the 8-qubit Qvidya, 25-qubit Indus, 64-qubit Kaveri, and 9-qubit Yukti. The Yukti is based on QpiAI's variant of fluxonium qubits and has demonstrated exceptional potential in error-corrected logical qubits. During the inauguration, IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge emphasized that the establishment of advanced quantum manufacturing capabilities in Bengaluru is a crucial step in strengthening the State's deep-tech ecosystem.

He further stated that the IT department will collaborate with QpiAI, other corporations, and specialized technology firms to identify implementation opportunities and establish stronger industry-led pathways for quantum technology.

QpiAI CEO and founder Nagendra Nagaraja highlighted the importance of manufacturing facilities for QPUs, stating that the quantum foundry is essential to realize the company's larger ambition of attaining quantum supremacy. To achieve this goal, QpiAI plans to construct Quantum Supremacy Centres (QSCs) that will house error-corrected QPUs and clusters of AI processors, forming highly efficient and effective hybrid quantum-AI data centers.

Nagaraja also revealed that QpiAI's quantum compute facility is housed in a 70,000-sq.-ft. R&D center, which includes the foundry, QPU testing facility, and quantum solution development. The company aims to establish four more QSCs outside India, with each center serving as a 'Quantum AI factory' to produce quantum solutions based on quantum advantage.