Cambridge, UK – In a major step forward for innovation in logistics and supply chain management, 4colors Research has been selected as one of three finalists in the Quantum-Powered Logistics track of the Airbus-BMW Quantum Computing Challenge (ABQCC). The announcement was made at The Economist Commercialising Quantum Global Summit in London earlier this month.
4colors Research has developed a groundbreaking algorithmic solution for a manufacturing supply chain problem. This innovative algorithm can solve industrial-scale complex supply chain problems and find optimal solutions on classical computers using commodity hardware in mere tens of minutes. The solution enhances transport and logistics efficiency between manufacturing sites, a critical component for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and boosting industrial efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
"We are thrilled that our algorithm has been selected as one of three finalists in the Airbus-BMW Quantum Computing Challenge logistics track," said Dr. Marcin Kaminski, Founder and CEO of 4colors Research. "While quantum computing holds immense promise for the future, our approach demonstrates that even today, such large-scale optimization problems can be efficiently solved."
The challenge, called The Quantum Mobility Quest, is an international competition organised by Airbus and BMW Group, with participation from Amazon Web Services and The Quantum Insider. In total, 15 finalists across five competition tracks have been selected, comprising nine companies and six universities or RTOs. These finalists were chosen from over 400 registered teams worldwide. Notably, 4colors Research is the sole finalist from the United Kingdom.
"We look forward to collaborating with experts from Airbus and BMW in the final phase of the competition and benchmarking our solution using datasets provided by Airbus and BMW Group," added Kaminski. "This is an exciting opportunity to showcase the practical applications of our technology and its potential to revolutionise the logistics sector."
The winners of the ABQCC will be announced in October 2024, following a rigorous evaluation by a jury of quantum computing experts and top management from Airbus, BMW Group, and Amazon Web Services. The awards ceremony will take place in Silicon Valley in December 2024.
Airbus and BMW Group stand as global leaders in their respective industries, renowned for their pioneering technologies and unwavering commitment to excellence. Airbus leads the aerospace sector with its state-of-the-art aircraft and defence systems. Meanwhile, BMW Group, encompassing BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad brands, sets the benchmark in automotive manufacturing with sustainable mobility solutions.
4colors Research is a pioneering algorithmic R&D company that employs advanced mathematical and computational techniques to tackle complex computational challenges for industry leaders worldwide. Focusing on a data-driven approach to algorithm design, the company develops smart solvers for mathematical optimization problems. 4colors Research draws on years of extensive academic and industry experience and has collaborated with a diverse range of organisations, from startups and government agencies to Fortune 500 companies.
