Latest news with #SandboxAQ
The National
2 days ago
- The National
Airlines in Middle East to test GPS alternatives as 'jamming' risk hits navigation
Airlines and governments in the Middle East have been invited to take part in the ongoing testing of a new navigation technology that some experts say is significantly more reliable than Global Positioning Satellite systems. SandboxAQ, a developer of products involving quantum technology and artificial intelligence, recently heralded the 'commercially available prototype' of the technology they're calling AQNav. This comes as GPS, the standard navigation system around the world, has become a victim of its own success, and is increasingly vulnerable to GPS jamming which can renders the navigation assistance unusable. GPS jamming − also known as GPS spoofing − became a prominent problem in June during the air war between Israel and Iran. Smartphone users across the Middle East reported anomalies with their GPS locations, which were wildly inaccurate. GPS has gained immense popularity thanks to the ease it can be incorporated into technology. But this ubiquity is becoming a growing vulnerability. SandboxAQ recently announced that Acubed, an Airbus company, completed what they're describing as 'rigorous real-world testing' of the touted GPS alternative, AQNav, which uses the magnetic field of the Earth along with quantum sensors that pick up the magnetic signals with the help of special AI software. Tests lasted five months and involved more than 100 flights that took place across 'diverse geographies and conditions'. According to SandboxAQ and Acubed, the test results show that AQNav 'consistently beat' the US Federal Aviation Administration's en route navigation standards. 'Pilots need to be able to trust their navigation systems,' Luca Ferrara, general manager for SandboxAQ's navigation business unit, told The National. 'When they can trust it, they're less stressed, they have less of a cognitive workload and they don't have worry about dealing with GPS loss,' he explained. SandboxAQ says that AQNav is rooted in and inspired by nature, and utilises the Earth's magnetic field, similar to how birds and other animals use it to navigate. That approach, combined with Sandbox AQ's proprietary AI software and use of hardware, gives it significantly more resilience and reliability compared to GPS, Mr Ferrara said. SandboxAQ also points out that unlike GPS, it doesn't connect to the internet, cloud or satellites. In the recent tests from Acubed, AQNav logged more than 44,000km, 'surpassing the Earth's circumference, without relying on GPS'. Mr Ferrara said more testing will now take place with hopes of eventually readying the system to be used on commercial airlines. SandboxAQ hopes to gain more insight into how to best position the magnetic censors used by the system on various aircraft, along with other details. Testing will help establish whether users would transfer navigation data to an existing computer on the plane, or a separate computer not connected to the internet or any network on board. This system is known as air-gapping, which is broadly viewed as more secure. 'Do we want it to pipe the data into the flight management computer or do we want it to go in an air-gapped way?' asked Mr Ferrara. He said Sandbox AQ currently has contracts with the US Air Force, and he expects the new navigation technology to first be adopted by defence and national security agencies, and then commercial entities. Through more testing, followed by a 'constructive dialogue' with aviation regulators around the world, Mr Ferrara said there's hope that commercial airlines will also be able to implement the system. Given the Middle East's increasingly strong presence in commercial aviation, with countries like the UAE playing a crucial role with international travel, it makes sense to push for testing among the region's airlines. 'We're looking for forward-leaning partners in the aerospace sector within the Gulf region to collaborate with,' Mr Ferrara said. He said the company is in discussions with several companies, and hopes to continue with those efforts given the Middle East's tourism footprint and globally recognised airline brands.
The National
2 days ago
- The National
Airlines in Middle East invited to test alternative to GPS navigation system
Airlines and governments in the Middle East have been invited to take part in the ongoing testing a new navigation technology that some experts say is significantly more reliable than Global Positioning Satellite systems. SandboxAQ, a developer of products involving quantum technology and artificial intelligence, recently heralded the 'commercially available prototype' of the technology they're calling AQNav. This comes as GPS, the standard navigation system around the world, has become a victim of its own success, and is increasingly vulnerable to GPS jamming which can renders the navigation assistance unusable. GPS jamming − also known as GPS spoofing − became a prominent problem in June during the air war between Israel and Iran. Smartphone users across the Middle East reported anomalies with their GPS locations, which were wildly inaccurate. GPS has gained immense popularity thanks to the ease it can be incorporated into technology. But this ubiquity is becoming a growing vulnerability. SandboxAQ recently announced that Acubed, an Airbus company, completed what they're describing as 'rigorous real-world testing' of the touted GPS alternative, AQNav, which uses the magnetic field of the Earth along with quantum sensors that pick up the magnetic signals with the help of special AI software. Tests lasted five months and involved more than 100 flights that took place across 'diverse geographies and conditions'. According to SandboxAQ and Acubed, the test results show that AQNav 'consistently beat' the US Federal Aviation Administration's en route navigation standards. 'Pilots need to be able to trust their navigation systems,' Luca Ferrara, general manager for SandboxAQ's navigation business unit, told The National. 'When they can trust it, they're less stressed, they have less of a cognitive workload and they don't have worry about dealing with GPS loss,' he explained. SandboxAQ says that AQNav is rooted in and inspired by nature, and utilises the Earth's magnetic field, similar to how birds and other animals use it to navigate. That approach, combined with Sandbox AQ's proprietary AI software and use of hardware, gives it significantly more resilience and reliability compared to GPS, Mr Ferrara said. SandboxAQ also points out that unlike GPS, it doesn't connect to the internet, cloud or satellites. In the recent tests from Acubed, AQNav logged more than 44,000km, 'surpassing the Earth's circumference, without relying on GPS'. Mr Ferrara said more testing will now take place with hopes of eventually readying the system to be used on commercial airlines. SandboxAQ hopes to gain more insight into how to best position the magnetic censors used by the system on various aircraft, along with other details. Testing will help establish whether users would transfer navigation data to an existing computer on the plane, or a separate computer not connected to the internet or any network on board. This system is known as air-gapping, which is broadly viewed as more secure. 'Do we want it to pipe the data into the flight management computer or do we want it to go in an air-gapped way?' asked Mr Ferrara. He said Sandbox AQ currently has contracts with the US Air Force, and he expects the new navigation technology to first be adopted by defence and national security agencies, and then commercial entities. Through more testing, followed by a 'constructive dialogue' with aviation regulators around the world, Mr Ferrara said there's hope that commercial airlines will also be able to implement the system. Given the Middle East's increasingly strong presence in commercial aviation, with countries like the UAE playing a crucial role with international travel, it makes sense to push for testing among the region's airlines. 'We're looking for forward-leaning partners in the aerospace sector within the Gulf region to collaborate with,' Mr Ferrara said. He said the company is in discussions with several companies, and hopes to continue with those efforts given the Middle East's tourism footprint and globally recognised airline brands.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Global Quantum Computing Market Report 2026-2046, with Profiles of 217 Companies Shaping the Quantum Computing Ecosystem, Including Market Leaders, Emerging Players, and Innovative Start-ups
In 2025, the quantum computing market has hit a pivotal moment, experiencing rapid breakthroughs, vast investment inflows, and practical applications across multiple sectors. Following a milestone year in 2024, where quantum investments exceeded $1 billion, the market now sees record funding levels and strides toward commercial viability. With a complex ecosystem covering hardware, software tools, cloud services, and industry applications, diverse technologies like superconducting qubits and photonic quantum computers drive innovation. Significant investments in Q1 2025 included SandboxAQ and Quantum Machines, alongside a historic $1.08 billion acquisition by IonQ. As investment confidence grows due to technological advances like Google's Willow chip, the market is trending towards mainstream deployment, touching industries such as finance, pharmaceuticals, and AI. Dublin, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Quantum Computing Market 2026-2046" report has been added to offering. The quantum computing market has reached an unprecedented inflection point in 2025, characterized by accelerating technological breakthroughs, massive investment inflows, and the emergence of practical quantum applications across multiple industries. Building on the remarkable momentum from 2024, when global quantum investments surpassed $1 billion for the first time, the sector continues to attract record-breaking funding while demonstrating tangible progress toward commercial viability. The quantum computing ecosystem has evolved into a sophisticated, multi-layered market encompassing hardware platforms, software development tools, cloud services, and industry-specific applications. Multiple quantum technologies compete and complement each other, including superconducting qubits, trapped ion systems, photonic quantum computers, and emerging silicon spin qubits. This technological diversity reduces the risk of betting on a single approach while accelerating innovation across multiple pathways. 2025 has witnessed extraordinary investment momentum. Q1 funding included: SandboxAQ secured a $150 million add-on funding round in April 2025, building on their massive $300 million raise in December 2024. Quantum Machines raised $170 million, reflecting strong investor confidence in quantum control systems and infrastructure. IQM Quantum Computers secured $73 million (€68 million). The second quarter of 2025 witnessed further significant market activity, culminating in IonQ's groundbreaking $1.08 billion acquisition of Oxford Ionics, representing the largest transaction in quantum computing history. This mega-deal signals a fundamental shift toward consolidation and strategic technology integration within the quantum sector, while highlighting the critical importance of advanced control technologies for quantum scalability. Several key trends have emerged throughout 2025's funding activity. Average round sizes have increased substantially, with major transactions regularly exceeding $50 million, indicating growing investor confidence in quantum computing's commercial viability. Corporate strategic investors, particularly major technology companies like Google, Nvidia, Intel, and Microsoft, are making increasingly significant investments, recognizing quantum computing's strategic importance for long-term competitive positioning. The investment surge follows significant technical breakthroughs in 2024, including Google's Willow chip demonstration and major advances in quantum error correction. These achievements have accelerated investor confidence in the sector's commercial potential, particularly as quantum computing hardware approaches fault tolerance and practical applications become increasingly achievable. The quantum computing market is positioned for continued explosive growth, driven by the convergence of technological advancement, substantial investment capital, and emerging practical applications across industries including financial services, pharmaceuticals, materials science, and artificial intelligence. The strong investment activity in early 2025, combined with continued technological progress and expanding industry adoption, suggests that quantum computing is transitioning from a purely research-focused field to a commercially viable technology sector poised for mainstream deployment over the next decade. The Global Quantum Computing Market 2026-2046 report represents the most comprehensive analysis of the rapidly evolving quantum computing ecosystem, providing critical insights into market dynamics, technological developments, investment trends, and future growth opportunities. This authoritative report delivers essential intelligence for stakeholders, investors, technology leaders, and policy makers navigating the quantum revolution. This extensive market intelligence report examines the quantum computing landscape across multiple dimensions, analyzing hardware technologies including superconducting qubits, trapped ion systems, silicon spin qubits, photonic quantum computers, neutral atom platforms, topological qubits, and quantum annealers. The report provides detailed market forecasts extending to 2046, covering revenue projections, installed base growth, pricing trends, and technology adoption patterns across global markets. With quantum computing transitioning from research laboratories to commercial applications, this analysis identifies key inflection points, market opportunities, and strategic positioning requirements for market participants. The report thoroughly examines the quantum software ecosystem, including development platforms, quantum algorithms, machine learning applications, optimization solutions, and cryptography implementations. Critical infrastructure requirements, including cryogenic systems, control electronics, and quantum-classical hybrid architectures, receive comprehensive coverage. Regional market dynamics, government initiatives, and national quantum strategies are analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and emerging markets, providing global perspective on quantum computing development. Report contents include: Comprehensive quantum computing market sizing and forecasts (2026-2046) with detailed revenue projections by technology, application, and geography Installed base forecasting by quantum technology platform including superconducting, trapped ion, silicon spin, photonic, neutral atom, and topological systems Pricing analysis and trends across different quantum computing system categories and deployment models Hardware revenue forecasting by technology platform and system type with detailed market segmentation Data center deployment analysis comparing quantum computer adoption to global data center infrastructure growth Technology Landscape and Competitive Intelligence: Deep-dive analysis of quantum hardware technologies including technical specifications, performance benchmarks, and commercial readiness levels Comprehensive market player profiles across hardware, software, applications, and infrastructure segments Quantum software stack analysis covering development platforms, algorithms, applications, and cloud services Infrastructure requirements assessment including cryogenic systems, control electronics, and specialized components Materials analysis for quantum computing including superconductors, photonics, and nanomaterials Industry Applications and Use Cases: Sector-specific quantum computing applications in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, transportation, financial services, and automotive industries Market opportunity assessment across drug discovery, molecular simulation, optimization, cryptography, and artificial intelligence Crossover technologies including quantum communications, quantum sensing, and quantum-AI convergence Commercial applications analysis with total addressable market (TAM) calculations for key vertical markets Case studies and implementation roadmaps for enterprise quantum adoption Investment Landscape and Strategic Analysis: Detailed funding analysis covering venture capital, corporate investment, government funding, and M&A activity (2024-2025) Strategic partnership analysis and business model evolution in the quantum ecosystem Government initiatives and national quantum strategies with funding commitments and policy implications Investment trends analysis including geographic distribution, sector focus, and funding stage dynamics Market challenges assessment including technical barriers, commercialization hurdles, and adoption constraints Future Outlook: SWOT analysis for quantum computing market development with strategic recommendations Commercial readiness roadmaps by technology platform with timeline projections to 2046 Quantum computing value chain analysis identifying key stakeholders and value capture opportunities Risk assessment and mitigation strategies for quantum technology investment and adoption Emerging trends analysis including quantum-AI convergence, hybrid computing architectures, and next-generation applications This comprehensive report features detailed profiles of 217 companies shaping the quantum computing ecosystem, providing essential intelligence on market leaders, emerging players, and innovative startups across the quantum value chain. Companies Profiled Include: A* Quantum AbaQus Aegiq Agnostiq Algorithmiq Oy Airbus Alpine Quantum Technologies GmbH (AQT) Alice&Bob Aliro Quantum Anyon Systems Inc. Archer Materials Arclight Quantum Arctic Instruments ARQUE Systems GmbH Atlantic Quantum Atom Computing Atom Quantum Labs Atos Quantum Baidu Inc. BEIT Bifrost Electronics Bleximo BlueFors BlueQubit Bohr Quantum Technology BosonQ Ps C12 Quantum Electronics Cambridge Quantum Computing (CQC) CAS Cold Atom CEW Systems Canada Inc. ColibriTD Classiq Technologies Commutator Studios GmbH Crystal Quantum Computing D-Wave Systems Diatope GmbH Dirac Diraq Delft Circuits Duality Quantum Photonics EeroQ eleQtron Elyah Entropica Labs Ephos Equal1 EvolutionQ First Quantum Inc. Fujitsu Good Chemistry Google Quantum AI Groove Quantum g2-Zero Haiqu Hefei Wanzheng Quantum Technology Co. Ltd. High Q Technologies Inc. Horizon Quantum Computing HQS Quantum Simulations HRL Huayi Quantum IBM Iceberg Quantum Icosa Computing ID Quantique InfinityQ Infineon Technologies AG Infleqtion Intel IonQ IQM Quantum Computers JiJ JoS QUANTUM GmbH KETS Quantum Security Kipu Quantum Kiutra GmbH Kuano Limited Kvantify Ligentec LQUOM Lux Quanta Maybell Quantum Industries Menlo Systems GmbH Menten AI Microsoft Miraex Molecular Quantum Solutions Montana Instruments Multiverse Computing Nanofiber Quantum Technologies NEC Corporation Next Generation Quantum neQxt GmbH Nomad Atomics Nord Quantique Nordic Quantum Computing Group AS Norma NTT Nu Quantum 1Qbit ORCA Computing Orange Quantum Systems Origin Quantum Computing Technology Oxford Ionics Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC) ParityQC Pasqal Peptone Phasecraft Photonic Inc. Pixel Photonics Planqc GmbH Polaris Quantum Biotech (POLARISqb) Post Quantum PQShield ProteinQure PsiQuantum Q* Bird QBoson Qblox qBraid Q-CTRL QC Design QC Ware QC82 QEDMA Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech Qindom QMware QMill Qnami QNu Labs Qolab QPerfect Key Topics Covered: 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY1.1 First and Second quantum revolutions1.2 Current quantum computing market landscape1.3 Investment Landscape1.4 Global Government Initiatives1.5 Market Landscape1.6 Recent Quantum Computing Industry Developments 2023-20251.7 End Use Markets and Benefits of Quantum Computing1.8 Business Models1.9 Roadmap1.10 Challenges for Quantum Technologies Adoption1.11 SWOT analysis1.12 Quantum Computing Value Chain1.13 Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence1.14 Global market forecast 2025-2046 2 INTRODUCTION2.1 What is quantum computing?2.2 Operating principle2.3 Classical vs quantum computing2.4 Quantum computing technology2.5 Competition from other technologies2.6 Market Overview 3 QUANTUM ALGORITHMS3.1 Quantum Software Stack3.1.1 Quantum Machine Learning3.1.2 Quantum Simulation3.1.3 Quantum Optimization3.1.4 Quantum Cryptography 4 QUANTUM COMPUTING HARDWARE4.1 Qubit Technologies4.1.1 Overview4.1.2 Noise effects4.1.3 Logical qubits4.1.4 Quantum Volume4.1.5 Algorithmic Qubits4.1.6 Superconducting Qubits4.1.7 Trapped Ion Qubits4.1.8 Silicon Spin Qubits4.1.9 Topological Qubits4.1.10 Photonic Qubits4.1.11 Neutral atom (cold atom) qubits4.1.12 Diamond-defect qubits4.1.13 Quantum annealers4.2 Architectural Approaches 5 QUANTUM COMPUTING INFRASTRUCTURE5.1 Infrastructure Requirements5.2 Hardware agnostic platforms5.3 Cryostats5.4 Qubit readout 6 QUANTUM COMPUTING SOFTWARE6.1 Technology description6.2 Cloud-based services- QCaaS (Quantum Computing as a Service)6.3 Market players 7 MARKETS AND APPLICATIONS7.1 Pharmaceuticals7.2 Chemicals7.3 Transportation7.4 Financial services7.5 Automotive 8 OTHER CROSSOVER TECHNOLOGIES8.1 Quantum chemistry and AI8.2 Quantum Communications8.3 Quantum Sensors 9 QUANTUM COMPUTING AND AI9.1 Introduction9.2 Applications9.3 AI Interfacing with Quantum Computing9.4 AI in Classical Computing9.5 Market Players and Strategies9.6 Relationship between quantum computing and artificial intelligence 10 MATERIALS FOR QUANTUM COMPUTING10.1 Superconductors10.2 Photonics, Silicon Photonics and Optical Components10.3 Nanomaterials 11 MARKET ANALYSIS11.1 Key industry players11.1.1 Start-ups11.1.2 Tech Giants11.1.3 National Initiatives11.2 Investment funding 12 COMPANY PROFILES (217 company profiles) For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Mint
15-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
The secret to better airplane navigation could be inside the Earth's crust
Acubed, Airbus's Silicon Valley-based innovation center, used a Beechcraft Baron aircraft in its large-scale test of SandboxAQ's quantum-sensing device. Satellite-based global positioning systems, or GPS, have been the primary method of aerospace navigation for decades. But with GPS jamming and spoofing on the rise, the industry is pushing for an update, and fast. Now, Airbus's Silicon Valley-based innovation center, Acubed, and artificial intelligence and quantum-focused Google spinout SandboxAQ are on a mission to demonstrate an alternate way. It involves a small, toaster-size box, lasers, a single GPU chip and a deep knowledge of the Earth's magnetic field. The technology, known as quantum sensing, has been in development for decades at a number of companies and is now inching closer to commercialization in aerospace. Acubed recently took MagNav, SandboxAQ's quantum-sensing device, on a large-scale test, flying with it for more than 150 hours across the continental U.S. on a general aviation aircraft that Acubed calls its 'flight lab." MagNav uses quantum physics to measure the unique magnetic signatures at various points in the Earth's crust. An AI algorithm matches those signatures to an exact location. During the test, Acubed found it could be a promising alternative to GPS in its ability to determine the plane's location throughout the flights. 'The hard part was proving that the technology could work," said SandboxAQ Chief Executive Jack Hidary, adding that more testing and certifications will be required before the technology makes it out of the testing phase. SandboxAQ will target defense customers first but then also commercial flights, as a rise in GPS tampering makes the need for a backup navigation system on flights more urgent. Airbus said it couldn't comment on future plans around using the technology. 'I'm happy that we've been able to invest so far in this," said Eric Euteneuer, principal systems engineer at Acubed. 'I think that it really shows that this technology can be a potential aid," he said. 'The need for this encompasses all of Airbus's key business segments." So-called GPS jamming, when geopositioning signals are blocked so a flight location isn't shown, and spoofing, when a GPS shows a false location, are on the rise in the Middle East and around Ukraine and Russia. Various militaries in the region might use such techniques to keep missiles and drones from finding their targets, but the practice can impact civilian flights. GPS vs. quantum sensing GPS works by broadcasting precise signals from a constellation of satellites that circle the globe. But militaries and bad actors can also send out fake signals, broadcast from the ground, that are hard to distinguish. The quantum sensing device is completely analog, making it essentially unjammable and unspoofable, SandboxAQ's Hidary said. Unlike GPS, it doesn't rely on any digital signals that are vulnerable to hacking. The information it provides is generated entirely from the device on board, and leverages magnetic signatures from the Earth, which cannot be faked, he said. Quantum sensing will likely not replace all the applications of traditional GPS, but it can be a reliable backup and help pilots actually know when GPS is being spoofed, Hidary said. How it works Inside SandboxAQ's device, essentially a small black box, a laser fires a photon at an electron, forcing it to absorb that photon. When the laser turns off, that electron goes back to its ground state, and releases the photon. As the photon is released, it gives off a unique signature based on the strength of the Earth's magnetic field at that particular location. Every square meter of the world has a unique magnetic signature based on the specific way charged iron particles in the Earth's molten core magnetize the minerals in its crust. SandboxAQ's device tracks that signature, feeds it into an AI algorithm that runs on a single GPU, compares the signature to existing magnetic signature maps, and returns an exact location. The Federal Aviation Administration requires that while planes are en route they must be able to pinpoint their exact location within 2 nautical miles (slightly more than 2 miles). During Acubed's testing, it found that MagNav could pinpoint location within 2 nautical miles 100% of the time, and could even pinpoint location within 550 meters, or a bit more than a quarter of a nautical mile, 64% of the time. 'It's the first novel absolute navigation system to our knowledge in the last 50 years," Hidary said. What else can quantum sensing do? EY's Global Chief Innovation Officer Joe Depa said the applications for quantum sensing go beyond aerospace. In defense, they can also be used to detect hidden submarines and tunnels. And in healthcare, they can even detect faint magnetic signals from the brain or heart, theoretically allowing for better diagnosis of neurological and cardiac conditions without invasive procedures. While the technology has been in the lab for decades, we are starting to see more examples of quantum sensing entering the real world, Depa said. Some analysts estimate the quantum-sensing market could reach between $1 billion and $6 billion by 2040, he said. 'We're not talking about something 20 years out," Depa said. 'This is here and now." Write to Isabelle Bousquette at
Wall Street Journal
15-07-2025
- Science
- Wall Street Journal
The Secret to Better Airplane Navigation Could Be Inside the Earth's Crust
Satellite-based global positioning systems, or GPS, have been the primary method of aerospace navigation for decades. But with GPS jamming and spoofing on the rise, the industry is pushing for an update, and fast. Now, Airbus's Silicon Valley-based innovation center, Acubed, and artificial intelligence and quantum-focused Google spinout SandboxAQ are on a mission to demonstrate an alternate way. It involves a small, toaster-size box, lasers, a single GPU chip and a deep knowledge of the Earth's magnetic field.
