Quantum Motion Unveils First Silicon CMOS Quantum PC

Quantum computing has reached a new milestone with the launch of the industry’s first full-stack quantum computer built using standard silicon CMOS chip fabrication technology.

This tech uses the same manufacturing process behind the semiconductors powering billions of smartphones, laptops and AI accelerators. 

Announced by Quantum Motion – in partnership with the UK National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) – the launch marks a major step toward scalable, accessible and commercially viable quantum computing.

UK Science Minister Lord Vallance says: “Our National Quantum Computing Centre offers a unique space for innovators to trial new quantum technologies. 

“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.”

Quantum Motion’s full-stack quantum computer

Unlike other quantum computing models, Quantum Motion’s design harnesses large-scale industrial chip fabrication to create qubits, using standard 300 mm processes from commercial foundries.

This breakthrough approach enables silicon spin qubits to be integrated into a scalable tile architecture, allowing dense, repeatable arrays of qubits that can scale up to millions in a single quantum processing unit (QPU). 

The system also features a full-stack design including a control and user interface software layer compatible with prevalent frameworks like Qiskit and Cirq, making it developer and user friendly.

Made for AI and data centre deployment

The quantum computer has a compact footprint that fits within just three standard 19-inch server racks, housing the dilution refrigerator and control electronics in a data-centre-ready form factor.

Its auxiliary equipment is designed to be deployed separately to facilitate upgrades to larger QPU generations without increasing the overall system size – a key factor for integration into existing computing infrastructure.

“This is quantum computing’s silicon moment,” says 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.”

Dr Michael Cuthbert, Director of NQCC, adds: “The NQCC is accelerating UK quantum capabilities by evaluating a number of diverse hardware platforms by leading companies worldwide. 

“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.”

The use of silicon CMOS technology addresses one of quantum computing’s biggest challenges: scalability. 

Traditionally, scaling quantum processors required bespoke fabrication and complex integration, limiting qubit counts and increasing costs drastically. 

By adapting the established semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem, Quantum Motion unlocks the potential to fabricate quantum processors at the scale and price necessary for utility-scale quantum computing.

On top of this, the QPU design incorporates recent advances in AI-driven ML for automated control and calibration, improving efficiency and accuracy in qubit operation. 

This intelligent tuning is vital for error correction and longer coherence times, foundational for fault-tolerant quantum computing which can solve complex computational problems beyond the reach of classical supercomputers.

Real-world impact

The implications of this breakthrough extends beyond the tech space. 

Faster quantum computations facilitates the ability to accelerate drug discovery by simulating molecular interactions, optimising energy grids to facilitate cleaner and more efficient power distribution and revolutionising AI by enabling new algorithms that classical machines could not.

​​​​​​​The UK government’s strategic investment in the NQCC alongside recent UK-US technology partnerships underscore the growing importance of quantum computing as a critical national technology.

Quantum Motion itself is actively supported by programmes including the UK-funded SiQEC project on silicon quantum error correction and DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative in the US, showcasing the already strong transatlantic collaboration on scalable quantum architectures. 

The commercial quantum advantage

With this new silicon CMOS quantum computer now operational, Quantum Motion aims to bring commercially useful quantum computers to market within this decade, promising to transform sectors ranging from finance and healthcare to materials science and clean energy.

Uniting proven silicon manufacturing with cutting-edge quantum engineering is a big deal in this space as it shifts quantum computers from being merely scientific curiosities into scalable, industry-ready platforms that could redefine computing power worldwide.