Fujitsu has launched its second generation of quantum-inspired Digital Annealer (DA) hardware. The DA can be used to improve production processes, minimise traffic congestion and optimise investment portfolios.
Whereas the first generation DA with its 1,024 bits could solve many problems, the second generation with 8,192 bits and an increase in computational precision could tackle even more problems. According to Fujitsu, this leads to more precision and better performance. It also allows the second generation to tackle much more complex problems.
As Moore’s law seems to be slowing down, the pace of progress is also in danger of slowing down. With the Digital Annealer, Fujitsu offers an alternative to solving specific problems. It is inspired by the simultaneous processing capacities of quantum computing. The main difference with traditional computing is that the Digital Annealer can solve complex combinatorial problems by comparing thousands of possible results at the same time, rather than successively, says Joseph Reger, Fujitsu fellow and chief technology officer CE & EMEIA at Fujitsu.
Optimization problems
The solution can be used from edge to cloud, the computing power of the DA can be implemented as a cloud hosted or local solution. In addition, according to the ICT supplier, it can be seamlessly integrated into standard data centre control environments and does not require complex infrastructure. This is something that quantum computers, which consume a lot of energy and require expensive cooling systems, do require. Furthermore, the DA offers disruptive innovation by solving complex optimization problems.
Fujitsu claims that the DA technology is ideal for, among other things, production optimisation and the reduction of traffic jams. In addition, the new generation of investment portfolios would be optimised to minimise risk and meet regulatory requirements.
According to Fujitsu, simultaneous computing makes it possible to quickly find the optimal combination of complex data variables. The technology can be applied in various sectors, such as logistics and warehousing, mobility, smart cities and the financial world. For example, the DA offers a solution for a bank that has to deliver money to ATMs and wants to use a sequence based on the amount of money to be delivered. The DA can determine which ATMs should be used, the optimal route for this and how much money should be deposited in each machine.
Faster, more accurate and less risk
But other tasks are also possible. For example, the NatWest Bank uses the technology to optimise a mix of liquid assets. Calculations are done faster and more accurately than traditional systems, identifying new, profitable investment opportunities. In addition, there is less risk of human error. According to Fujitsu, the automotive industry is now also working with DA technology to streamline work planning in the workplace and improve smart mobility services. But it would also help refine a car’s design to reduce noise while driving. In addition, the DA technology is also applied by Fujitsu itself to its own production plant in Japan.
The Digital Annealer is available as a subscription-based as-a-service, including technical and consultancy services. The general availability of Fujitsus second generation DA is scheduled for April 2019.
Related: Fujitsus new quantum-inspired computer is 100x faster
This news article was automatically translated from Dutch to give Techzine.eu a head start. All news articles after September 1, 2019 are written in native English and NOT translated. All our background stories are written in native English as well. For more information read our launch article.
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