Hyundai to use quantum computing for autonomous vehicles

Does quantum computing have a future in voluntary driving? Hyundai Motor has spoken it’s expanding its existing partnership with U.S. quantum computing visitor IonQ to involve a project that applies quantum machine learning to image nomenclature and 3D object detection for voluntary vehicles. A quantum computer in its simplest form is a machine that does a very specific type of math to perform calculations, but does so at speeds other computers theoretically cannot match. Hyundai previously limited its partnership with IonQ, which it spoken in January 2022, to develop algorithms that could yield greater efficiency and performance from next-generation lithium electric vehicle (EV) batteries. IonQ quantum computers are variegated from other quantum computing systems as they use trapped ions, which are personal to provide superior results to superconducting wire or crystalline silicon. Hyundai says by encoding images into quantum states, IonQ is “already well underway” in classifying 43 variegated types of road signs using its quantum processors. Its next phase is theoretically applying the machine learning data to test environments that simulate various real-world scenarios. Hyundai and IonQ will moreover expand their current work on recognising road signs to include other objects like pedestrians and cyclists. “We are excited to expand our existing relationship with Hyundai Motor to focus on flipside key speciality of next-generation mobility,” said IonQ president and CEO Peter Chapman. “From partnering on shower research for electric vehicles to image nomenclature and object detection research for streamlined driving, we expect to see quantum computers wilt an plane increasingly integral part in developing novel transportation solutions.” IonQ was founded in 2015 and is a leader in trapped-ion quantum computing. It has previously worked with Amazon, Microsoft and Google to develop cloud-based quantum computing software. Hyundai is aiming to put a self-driving Ioniq 5 Robotaxi into service with the Lyft ride-sharing app in the US from 2023. Developed by Motional, the Ioniq 5 Robotaxi is said to be a Level 4 voluntary vehicle that’s capable of driving itself without human intervention in situations it was designed to handle, but can still be driven by a person. It’s fitted with a suite of 30 sensors, including cameras, radar and LiDAR units. Motional says this hardware gives the car a 360-degree view of the world, and allows for “ultra-long range detection of objects for unscratched voluntary operation in diverse driving environments”. Hyundai’s parts and service arm, Hyundai Mobis, has moreover previously ripened a prototype folding steering wheel system for self-driving cars. Taking two years to develop, this folding steering wheel technology is expected to be implemented in future voluntary Hyundai, Genesis and Kia vehicles. MORE: Hyundai taps quantum computing for EV performance gains MORE: Motional to launch self-driving Hyundai Ioniq 5 taxi in 2023 MORE: Hyundai Mobis shows off folding steering wheel