Nissan Motor Co. in collaboration with Quemix Inc., announced the successful demonstration of a quantum algorithm to vehicle aerodynamic simulation. This, said Nissan, is a world fist, and has indicates the potential of quantum computing to reduce computation time to just minutes, from current classical timeframes of approximately one day.
In this study, Nissan and Quemix developed a new hybrid algorithm for fluid dynamics calculations around vehicles, combining a quantum computer with a classical computer. In this architecture, the quantum computer is responsible for the core computational processes, while the classical computer handles supporting calculations, which increases overall efficiency.
Using this algorithm, aerodynamic simulations of complex geometries were executed on a quantum computer simulator, and confirming that fluid behavior could be reproduced with accuracy comparable to conventional classical computing methods.
Currently, aerodynamic analysis often relies on methods such as the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM); however, long computation times remain a major challenge. In addition, applying quantum computing to this field has been constrained by technical limitations, including the inability to directly apply existing methods. This Nissan-Quemix research approaches this differently; the two companies have jointly filed a patent for these research results and will work towards further advancing research on aerodynamic simulation.
In this announcement, Nissan said it is exploring the use of quantum computing across a wide range of fields, including materials development, mobility services, and optimization of energy management using EVs.
The results of this research will be presented at Q2B 2026 Tokyo.
