Quantum Computing Challenge

A big thanks to all the participating teams for their excellent submissions!
The winner annoucement is now online.

Solving difficult computational problems has become an essential part of many industries, including the automotive sector. Such complex problems are often hard even for the most powerful supercomputers in the world. Quantum computing is a promising technology that could more easily solve some of these problems in the future. While quantum computing is still an area of intense scientific research, industry leaders are exploring use cases where this new technology may provide benefits. With BMW and AWS, you have the opportunity to discover novel ways to address real-world challenges and help the automobile industry prepare for a future in which quantum computers could make a difference.
The BMW Quantum Computing Challenge puts four potential use cases of quantum computing in the spotlight and invites the community to work on algorithms to approach them. The statements of the problems give a unique insight into where quantum computing could make a difference at BMW. The collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides the resources for the participants to test their algorithms on today’s quantum hardware.

The Quantum Computing Challenge is set up according to the BMW Group “Supplierthon” methodology. The supplierthon is a future-driven initiative to scout innovation from partners as well as support quick onboarding into the BMW Group ecosystem. It aims to encourage research organizations, startups and corporates across the globe to submit their ideas/solutions to dedicated challenges. Past challenges focused on Smart Cities and Mobility related solutions as well as Connected Car technologies from markets such as Japan. Based on a peer-review process, we identify high-potential finalists who will pitch their ideas and prototypes to our jury members. The winners of the challenge will be announced after that. The participation is advantageous to foster collaboration with BMW Group (benefits are detailed below in this page).

Who can join?

Participation is open to anyone who has interest to apply his or her knowledge and skills on quantum algorithms to real-world problems, and is part of a legal entity. This could be, for instance, a research group, a start-up or an innovative company. A background in quantum computing is very beneficial, but not a strict requirement. Find more details on eligibility in Terms and Conditions.

What happens when?

The challenge has two rounds and concludes with an award event. The concept development phase ends on the 24/09/2021 and is followed by a first review and a shortlisting. In the verification phase, selected teams can work on their solution until 22/11/2021. In the following week, short pitches will be organized between the 22 and 29/12/2021 and the winners will be announced at the Q2B conference.

What's in it for you?

Aside from the adventure of working on quantum algorithms with real datasets and getting access to real quantum computing resources, the winners have the chance to build a partnership with BMW.

In the first round, challenge participants have the option to use AWS credits ($500) on Amazon Braket, the cloud quantum computing service to build their concepts. The 16 finalists can also optionally use $5000 in AWS credits in the second round for their mini-PoCs for verification of their solutions. These credits can be used to run code on one of Amazon Braket’s available QPUs from D-Wave, IonQ and Rigetti or high-performance quantum circuit simulators, and related services Amazon S3 and Amazon SageMaker. BMW will invite winners of the challenge to conduct a Proof of Concept on one of the use cases from its quantum computing portfolio.

The highlights of the Challenge will be presented at the AWS re:Invent and Q2B conferences, providing visibility to high-potential ideas and finalists.

How to participate?

There are a few steps for you to participate. First register to crowd-innovation.bmwgroup.com. Then choose a use case  you want to explore and get working! You can submit your idea for the first round until the 24th of September 2021.

Find more details in How to participate.

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