Dwave has had their 128 qubit adiabatic quantum computer chip for some time
It is a 4×4 array of 8-qubit unit cell
So proving the 8 qubit unit cells are quantum proves that the 4×4 array is leveraging quantum effects.
Google and Dwave have been using the 128 qubit chip on image recognition and binary classifier applications
Quantum annealing can be millions of times faster than classical computers Yes, back in 2008 Dwave promised a rapid move to fill up the available space on their chips to achieve thousands of qubits. It appears that they have had to sort out the complexities and economics of the 128 qubit system for several years before moving onto the larger scale. This is still ahead of what other groups are doing in the lab in terms of being able to perform complex real world applications.
The Dwave system is an analog system for solving a specific kind of problem. There is a limited range of quantum algorithms that it can implement. However, it is doing useful work now and they are still ahead of other quantum computing efforts.
Previously there were complaints that Dwave did not have peer reviewed proof of the quantumness of the chips that they were using and developing. This claim can no longer be made. It cannot be said it is just a classical computing chip. It cannot be said that they have no peer reviewed confirmation.
Yes, not at 512 qubits or thousands of qubits. Yet plenty of larger companies have delays on projects that do not break any new ground. It took Microsoft three years to launch Windows mobile 7 after the iPhone was released after Microsoft already had Windows Mobile 6.5. Microsoft was not short of resources and had a working commercial system in front of them to copy.
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Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
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