NEC drops its quantum computing work, marking an end to nearly 30 years of development
- NEC has reportedly ended quantum hardware development after nearly three decades of research
- Several NEC quantum researchers have reportedly moved to rival Fujitsu
- NEC once ranked first globally in semiconductor sales in 1990
NEC has reportedly stopped building physical quantum computers after roughly three decades of research into superconducting circuits and solid-state qubit technology.
The Japanese technology company is instead expected to concentrate on quantum applications while avoiding the costs associated with developing physical machines.
Several engineers connected to the initiative, including a senior research figure, subsequently moved across to rival firm Fujitsu to continue their work.
A legacy built on chip dominance
NEC once dominated the global chip industry, ranking first worldwide in semiconductor sales back in 1990, ahead of several rivals.
Companies such as Hitachi, Toshiba, Fujitsu, Motorola and Intel all trailed well behind NEC's chip business throughout that period.
Intel eventually surpassed NEC as personal computerprocessors...
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