Thought Leadership
From sheet metal forming to crash simulation: BMW Group and Quantum pioneer Pasqal jointly develop applications for the vehicle production of the future.
The BMW Group and the quantum computing company Pasqal have announced a strategic partnership. The aim is to use quantum computing in vehicle production to optimize manufacturing processes and advance materials research.
As the company announced, BMW has already set up its own quantum computing team in 2021. The collaboration with Pasqal, a leading provider of quantum processors based on neutral atoms, is now intended to accelerate the integration of this technology into production.
Significant improvement in simulation accuracy
The collaboration between Pasqal and the BMW Group began with the BMW Group Quantum Computing Challenge in 2021. Pasqal developed a solution that promised significant improvements in simulation accuracy and efficiency, which are critical to the BMW Group’s manufacturing processes. Pasqal’s digital-analog implementation of quantum algorithms tailored to their neutral atom quantum processors could also be adapted to this solution, which could improve circuit design efficiency compared to alternative architectures.
First successes in metal processing
The first proof of concept (PoC) project between Pasqal and the BMW Group focused on optimizing the metal forming process. The stamping of sheet metal was simulated in order to predict the material behavior and determine optimal production parameters. The promising results from this project led to further collaborations, including a multi-year partnership with Ansys for structural analysis and crash simulations.
Pasqal’s researchers have visited the BMW Group’s facilities in Munich on several occasions, and BMW Group engineers have spent time at Pasqal’s sites in France and the Netherlands. This hybrid working model fosters a strong, collaborative spirit that allows both teams to effectively utilize their respective expertise.
Close cooperation between the teams
The cooperation between BMW and Pasqal is closely interlinked: engineers from both companies work regularly at the respective locations in Munich, France and the Netherlands. Workshops and meetings ensure a continuous transfer of knowledge.
Future prospects
BMW sees great potential for automotive manufacturing in quantum technology. The ongoing projects should lead to significant improvements in simulation accuracy and thus enable the development of safer, lighter and more fuel-efficient vehicles.
More powerful quantum computers are expected in the next five to ten years. With its current projects, BMW is already laying the foundations for future-oriented applications in the automotive industry.
(sp/Pasqal)
