IonQ has announced a strategic partnership with Korea-based quantum technology and software company SDT, Inc. Under this multi-year collaboration IonQ will supply SDT with a Superion 256 quantum computer as well as IonQ’s silicon-vacancy (SiV) quantum memory module.
“Demand for our new Superion 256 system is growing globally, and this agreement in Asia Pacific is yet another example of our clients combining IonQ’s leading quantum computers with our quantum networking and quantum memory solutions,” said Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ. “IonQ is very proud to be expanding our commercial footprint in South Korea as well as continuing to trailblaze quantum cancer and biomedical research. This purchase equips SDT with the building blocks for both high-performance quantum computing and quantum data centers of the future.”
The partnership expands the two companies’ ongoing collaboration from cloud-based software integration to physical hardware production, assembly, and regional resale partnership. The Superion 256 system is planned for deployment with an SDT customer in South Korea, where IonQ and SDT intend to collaborate on a hybrid quantum-classical data center. SDT also plans to establish a dedicated quantum manufacturing and system-integration facility in Gumi, South Korea. That will be the site for IonQ’s SiV quantum memory packaging and manufacturing, quantum system assembly, integration and commissioning.
“IonQ leads the global quantum industry in both technology and manufacturing innovation,” said Jiwon Yune, CEO of SDT. “Our objective is to make our new Gumi facility a key operational hub for IonQ’s global supply chain and regional deployment by hosting manufacturing operations and assembling world-class quantum systems. Alongside this manufacturing partnership, SDT will participate in the assembly and operation of IonQ quantum systems and actively pursue opportunities to manufacture more quantum components. Our role will also extend to a separate in-country cancer center project where we intend to develop hybrid quantum-classical infrastructure for medical and biomedical research with IonQ. Together, these initiatives put SDT’s quantum design and manufacturing strategy into practice through assembly, operations and system integration, while opening opportunities in manufacturing and regional commercialization.”
This announcement reinforces IonQ’s regional commitment as evidenced through its collaborations with other partnerships in Korea including: KISTI, SK Telecom, Hyundai Motor Company, and leading academic institutions such as Seoul National University and Sungkyunkwan University.
