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D-Wave Launches Free 'Leap' Quantum Computing Service (ieee.org)

Posted by BeauHD on from the cheaper-by-the-dozen dept.

talonyx writes: D-Wave Systems, the contentious but scrappy maker of quantum annealing processors, has launched a cloud-based platform where developers can sign up for free and run problems on their quantum processor unit (QPU). There's an in-depth set of demos, documentation, and an open-source Python SDK to look at. "Leap is the latest addition to the quantum cloud -- services that virtualize quantum computing for almost anyone with a computer and a broadband connection to use," reports IEEE Spectrum. "Leap allows anyone to sign up, giving them one minute of time on a cloud-connected 2000Q each month. That might not sound like much, but a key advantage of quantum computing is to be able to solve in milliseconds problems like factoring large numbers, optimizing routes, or calculating molecular structures that could take traditional computers days or weeks."

"D-Wave estimates that each user's free minute of quantum computing time should be enough to run between 400 and 4,000 jobs each month," the report adds. "If developers want more, the company will charge commercial users $2,000 for one hour of access each month."

20 of 33 comments (clear)

  1. If D-Wave's machines are so fabulous.... by HotNeedleOfInquiry · · Score: 1

    Why don't they just put all of them to work mining Bitcoins?

    --
    "Eve of Destruction", it's not just for old hippies anymore...
    1. Re:If D-Wave's machines are so fabulous.... by CaptainDork · · Score: 1

      There are some problems that a quantum computer will not handle any faster than a classical computer.

      Mining is one of those.

      --
      It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
    2. Re: If D-Wave's machines are so fabulous.... by iggymanz · · Score: 1

      Quantum annealing is another, this company is ripping off investors

    3. Re:If D-Wave's machines are so fabulous.... by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

      well the laws and tax rules on bitcoins make that not work.

    4. Re:If D-Wave's machines are so fabulous.... by talonyx · · Score: 1

      From what I've read, it's not useful for factoring problems, but it can solve optimization problems like the Travelling Salesman with excellent solutions in a short period of time.

    5. Re:If D-Wave's machines are so fabulous.... by quax · · Score: 3, Insightful

      You would need to reformulate the hash search as a QUBO problem (Quadratic unconstrained binary optimization).

      This is probably impossible. Even if such a mapping existed, chances are it would require a level of connectivity and number of qubits far in excess of what the current chip provides.

    6. Re:If D-Wave's machines are so fabulous.... by OneHundredAndTen · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Has D-Wave been demonstrably able to handle even one problem faster than a classical computer?

    7. Re:If D-Wave's machines are so fabulous.... by Mogusha · · Score: 2
      Currently the D-Wave device is able to beat a few classical algorithms, but if multiple algorithms are used in combination, then there is no contest. https://www.dwavesys.com/sites...

      And the device has been shown to demonstrate some qualities in simulating quantum materials https://www.dwavesys.com/sites...

      There are some solvers that make use of the D-Wave's limited connectivity (which will improve in the near future) like the HFS solver. These will become less effective as the connectivity improves

      Overall, there may be a chance there isn't any single problem that a properly designe algorithm couldn't solve in an equivalent time with decently fast hardware.

    8. Re:If D-Wave's machines are so fabulous.... by CaptainDork · · Score: 2

      Yes and no:

      Pakin says his team are believers in D-Wave’s potential, even though they admit its systems might not yet offer performance improvements except in very narrow cases. He also explains that D-Wave's computers don't necessarily provide the most efficient answers to an optimization problem—or even a correct one. Instead, the idea is to provide solutions that are probably good, if not perfect solutions, and to do it very quickly. That narrows the D-Wave machines' usefulness to optimization problems that need to be solved fast but don't need to be perfect. That could include many artificial intelligence applications.

      --
      It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
    9. Re:If D-Wave's machines are so fabulous.... by CaptainDork · · Score: 1

      Yes, I'm sure.

      I've been studying quantum theory for about 50 years and continue to absorb current progress.

      We cannot know, precisely, any characteristic of a quantum. The best we can do is a good guess.

      A quantum computer (QC) can spit out good guesses rather rapidly, and that can be useful for optimization problems, but not very useful for other problems.

      Classical computers either know, or they don't know.

      I offer this blurb because it comes from D-Wave and correctly sums it all up:

      Pakin says his team are believers in D-Wave’s potential, even though they admit its systems might not yet offer performance improvements except in very narrow cases. He also explains that D-Wave's computers don't necessarily provide the most efficient answers to an optimization problem—or even a correct one. Instead, the idea is to provide solutions that are probably good, if not perfect solutions, and to do it very quickly. That narrows the D-Wave machines' usefulness to optimization problems that need to be solved fast but don't need to be perfect. That could include many artificial intelligence applications.

      --
      It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
  2. Factoring large numbers by manu0601 · · Score: 1

    a key advantage of quantum computing is to be able to solve in milliseconds problems like factoring large numbers

    They already broke RSA, and nobody told me?

    1. Re:Factoring large numbers by igor.sfiligoi · · Score: 1

      a key advantage of quantum computing is to be able to solve in milliseconds problems like factoring large numbers

      They already broke RSA, and nobody told me?

      If you want to factor up 18-bit RSA, sure, you are in trouble :)
      https://arxiv.org/pdf/1804.027...

    2. Re:Factoring large numbers by Killall+-9+Bash · · Score: 1

      A key disadvantage of D-Wave is that it is slower than conventional computers. Their marketing wank says that speed isn't what to focus on... it's an entirely new method of processing..... and planes were initially slower than cars, etc.

      So, for the low low price of [more money than you have], you can get a high maintenance toy that is slower than most desktops, let alone supercomputers.

      --
      "Prediction: within 10 years, Windows will be a Linux distribution." Me, 7-6-2016
  3. leap quantum? by zman3 · · Score: 2

    Theorising that one could time travel within his own lifetime, Doctor Sam Beckett stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator and vanished...

    1. Re:leap quantum? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Oh Boy..

  4. Re:Couldn't understand a word. by talonyx · · Score: 1

    https://cloud.dwavesys.com/lea... - it's not BS, I've clicked through a lot of it. I can't say I understand it but it's given me an API token and I can run their "ping" command which apparently executes... something.

    Wish I hadn't failed math!

  5. Re:looking for the 'quantum advantage' by talonyx · · Score: 1

    Rigetti's a different company with different technology. I don't think they're offering free live access to anyone in the way D-Wave is, you can just go sign up and run... quantum problems, if you can figure out how to write one anyway

  6. Re:looking for the 'quantum advantage' by EETech1 · · Score: 1

    Any worthwhile computer has a BASIC interpreter!

  7. Discount for Slashdot users by null+etc. · · Score: 1

    I have 60 one-minute accounts for sale. Who wants to buy the bundle of them for a price of less than $2000?

  8. D-Wave marketing, get Scott Bakula by mr_mischief · · Score: 1

    That this was announced without Scott Bakula being on stage at some industry event is already a lost opportunity. They really should get him on board.