The CUCO project investigates the use of quantum computing and its application to strategic industries

A consortium made up of seven companies (Amatech, BBVA, DAS Photonics, GMV, Multiverse computing, Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech and Repsol), supported by five research centres (BSC, CSIC, DIPC, ICFO and Tecnalia), and a public university (Universitat Politècnica de València), is launching the CUCO project for research into quantum computing applied to strategic industries in the Spanish economy: energy, finance, space, defence and logistics.

The CUCO project, subsidised by the CDTI and supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation under the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, emerges as the first major quantum computing project at national and business level with the aim of advancing scientific and technological knowledge of quantum computing algorithms through public-private collaboration between companies, research centres and universities to accelerate the implementation of these technologies for use in the medium term. In addition to identifying a series of relevant use cases in the Spanish economy, where to carry out proofs of concept to study whether quantum computing could improve the performance of classical computing, to respond to business needs and proposing the corresponding metrics. In this context, use cases will be investigated in Earth observation, the fight against climate change and the environment, the traceability of information throughout the supply chain, the optimisation and simulation of complex financial calculations, signal intelligence, etc.

Quantum technologies, and specifically quantum computing, is set to play a disruptive role due to the impact it will have on many areas, given its massive computing capacity, and could mark a new technological era. Spain cannot be left behind, and must be able to lead this new race.

One of the objectives of the project is to position the consortium and its companies as benchmarks in quantum computing in their sectors of application, enabling their participation in international initiatives such as the Quantum Flagship, Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, or the European Defence Fund.

Likewise, the CUCO project, through the research in quantum computing that will be carried out, will have an impact on improving environmental sustainability, since quantum computing promotes more energy-efficient algorithms.