Quantum computing could well be the future – but while we’re still a long way off from having quantum computers in our homes, we’re likely much closer to them being actually useful in data centers. Those machines may be hidden from public view, but there’s no reason they can’t be design-forward – and to that end, design firm Whipsaw has partnered with quantum computing company IonQ to build scalable and modular machines that can seamlessly fit into data centers.
The result of the collaboration is the Forte Enterprise Quantum Computer, which is aimed at setting a visual language for the quantum computers of the future. It combines form and function, while making quantum computing a little more approachable.
For the uninitiated, quantum computers flip the concept of computing in general on its head. Traditional computers process information in bits, which can be either a ‘0’ or a ‘1.’ Quantum computers use tiny particles called qubits, which can exist as both a 0 or a 1 at the same time, essentially allowing quantum computers to process information much faster.
The tech is still early in development, and it’s entirely possible that we’ll never have quantum computers in homes, given the fact that qubits need to exist in extreme conditions, like near-absolute-zero temperatures. But, they could be hugely beneficial for scientific study, AI processing, and more. Quantum computers are already being used, but mostly in research settings, and they’re not really powerful enough yet to help out with the large-scale calculations that researchers hope they’ll one day perform.
The IonQ Forte Enterprise Quantum Computer is specifically built for scale, allowing customers to connect units together. It has flush handles, and is designed in a way that lets users arrange units in rows – perfect for data centers.
The unit is undeniably modern, offering a large, silver enclosure with etched multi-layer doors that Whipsaw says is designed to symbolize “the qubit’s journey across its waveform.”
“This design transforms an abstract technological concept into a tangible and approachable identity, defining what quantum computing should look like in the modern era,” shares Whipsaw.
We’ll have to see how long it takes for quantum computing to be commonplace in data centers, but hopefully when that happens, they’ll look as great as the IonQ Forte Enterprise Quantum Computer. For now, these new units are being used at IonQ’s data centers in Washington, D.C. and Seattle.
For more information, visit whipsaw.com.
Photography courtesy of Whipsaw.
