Quantum Motion unveils first silicon CMOS quantum computer
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Quantum Motion has launched the industry’s first full-stack quantum computer built on standard silicon CMOS technology. The company installed the system at the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), marking a milestone for silicon-based approaches to quantum hardware.
This significant development demonstrates that researchers can build quantum technology with the same scalable manufacturing processes as conventional semiconductor devices. Consequently, it could accelerate commercialization and industry adoption.
Silicon quantum leap
The system represents the first silicon spin-qubit computer that the NQCC has deployed under its Quantum Computing Testbed Programme. It uses 300mm CMOS wafer fabrication – the same process chipmakers apply in high-volume production. The company’s Quantum Processing Unit (QPU) comes with a full software and control stack compatible with industry frameworks such as Qiskit and Cirq, making it developer-ready from day one.
Physically, the machine fits into three standard 19-inch server racks housing the dilution refrigerator and control electronics, while auxiliary equipment sits externally to allow scaling. In addition, the data-center-friendly footprint ensures compatibility with future QPUs without requiring more space.
“This is quantum computing’s silicon moment,” said James Palles-Dimmock, CEO of Quantum Motion. “Today’s announcement demonstrates you can build a robust, functional quantum computer using the world’s most scalable technology, with the ability to be mass-produced.”
Scaling to millions of qubits
Quantum Motion focuses heavily on scalability. Its QPU relies on a tile-based architecture, where compute, readout, and control elements integrate into a dense array that companies can replicate across a chip. This design supports straightforward upgrades and paves the way to systems with millions of qubits – the threshold needed for fault-tolerant and utility-scale quantum computing.
“This new form of quantum computer from Quantum Motion will take this groundbreaking technology another step closer to commercial viability – which could help support healthcare with faster drug discovery or clean energy by optimising energy grids,” said UK Science Minister Lord Vallance.
Dr Michael Cuthbert, Director of the NQCC, added: “The successful installation of Quantum Motion’s system marks an important step forward in the NQCC’s quantum computing testbeds initiative. The NQCC team are really excited to start test and validation of the system and better understand how real-world applications will map onto its silicon architecture.”
Moreover, the system features machine-learning-based tuning, which enables more efficient calibration and automated operation – key enablers for scaling and practical deployment.
Next steps
“With the delivery of this system, Quantum Motion is on track to bringing commercially useful quantum computers to market this decade,” said Hugo Saleh, President and CCO of Quantum Motion. “It’s a customer, user, and developer first approach – using standard CMOS, the basis for all modern technology, from mobile phones to AI GPUs, to deliver the revolutionary next inflection point in computing.”
Quantum Motion continues to engage in major programs beyond the NQCC, including the UK-funded SiQEC silicon quantum error correction project and DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative. CTO and cofounder John Morton summed up the company’s ambition: “When I look at the new system we’ve delivered to the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre, built by the amazing interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers we’ve assembled at Quantum Motion, the message is clear: silicon quantum computing has just landed.”
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