ProvideQ presents results at EURO 2024

© Project ProvideQ

Operations research uses classic methods and models from mathematics, statistics, game theory and probability theory to tackle economic challenges. The main focus is on optimising resources and accelerating processes with applications in mobility, healthcare and production. In addition to machine learning and artificial intelligence, quantum computing is one of the newer trends now being used in the discipline.

At the European Conference on Operational Research (EURO) 2024, which took place in Copenhagen from 30 June to 3 July 2024, the ProvideQ project had the opportunity to present initial results on the integration of quantum computers for the optimisation of logistics problems to an expert audience. Fabian Henze's lecture presented the benchmarking of a variant of semi-definite programming that could be suitable for quantum computers - using the so-called "Hamiltonian updates" subroutine. The preliminary results presented are also based on data from the use case of a vehicle routing problem, which the consortium was able to collect thanks to close cooperation with leading logistics service providers.

By participating, the research results could be discussed with a broad specialist audience for the first time. Networking opportunities with potential cooperation partners were not neglected either. "The demand for convex optimisation in the areas of energy and value chains shows that the results from ProvideQ can be transferred from logistics to other fields of application," says Dr Taylor Garnowski from consortium partner 4flow SE. "Overall, it became clear that QC projects from Germany were at the centre of public attention."

The ProvideQ project is developing concepts and methods for the practical use of quantum computers in the optimisation of logistics problems. To this end, leading global service providers in the field of logistics are working together with experts in software and algorithm engineering, optimisation theory and quantum information. They are working together to bridge the gap between industrial applications and requirements on the one hand and the practical use of innovative quantum computers on the other. The great interest in the results at EURO 2024 shows that they are already providing important impetus for the corporate research of tomorrow.