QAR-Lab-EN

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QCHALLenge Software Framework

QCHALLenge Software Framework

Software Framework Released Now!

(Munich, August 28, 2025) QCHALLenge-FW is an open-source framework for simplified modeling of quantum-inspired industrial applications. With just a few commands, the software can be set up via Conda or the interactive installer – flexibly, depending on the use case. Several end-to-end examples, ranging from data generation to modeling and visualization, demonstrate the use cases covered in QCHALLenge, including production assignment scheduling, sensor positioning, autocarrier loading, modular production logistics, and train routing.

Thanks to the modular architecture, users can not only execute existing use cases, but also add their own problems and integrate them seamlessly into the workflow. Whether optimization, simulation, or evaluation—all central functions are already available as modules.

Special thanks go to Dr. Peter Limacher (SAP) and Nico Kraus (Aqarios GmbH) for designing and developing the framework. More details can be found in the official Github repository.


Munich Tech-Days 2025

Munich Tech-Days 2025

Quantum-Projects und Demo Lego-Annealers

(Munich, 16.07 & 17.07. 2025) As part of the roadshow “Quantum Computing@Munich Tech Days”, organized by Bayern Innovativ, representatives from LMU (Jonas Stein, Maximilian Zorn) and SAP (Peter Limacher) were on site at Munich Ostbahnhof. There, on July 16 and 17, 2025, the findings of quantum computing and the QCHALLenge project were presented to interested parties and curious participants of the event. In addition to a short project pitch by Jonas Stein about the use cases of the project and a social media interview with Peter Limacher, we would like to thank you on behalf of the funding project for the great, interesting discussions and the invitation to the roadshow.


Contributions to QCE-Conference 2025

Contributions to QCE-Conference 2025

QCHALLenge research in full swing

(Munich, 14.07.2025) We are pleased to report on the following research that has been produced as part of the QCHALLenge project. The papers listed below will be presented at the main track of the QCE conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA from August 31st to September 5th:

  • Florian Krellner, Abhishek Awasthi, Nico Kraus, Sarah Braun, Michael Poppel, Daniel Porawski, „Solving a real-world modular logistic scheduling problem with a quantum-classical meta-heuristics“, to appear in the Proceedings of the IEEE QCE 2025.,
  • Nico Kraus, Marvin Erdmann, Alexander Kuzmany, Daniel Porawski „Quantum Annealing Hyperparameter Analysis for Optimal Sensor Placement in Production Environments“, to appear in the Proceedings of the IEEE QCE 2025.,
  • Peter J. Eder, Aron Kerschbaumer, Jernej Rudi Finzgar, Raimel A. Medina, Martin J. A. Schuetz, Helmut G. Katzgraber, Sarah Braun, Christian B. Mendl, „Quantum-Guided Cluster Algorithms for Combinatorial Optimization“, to appear in the Proceedings of the IEEE QCE 2025.,
  • Peter J. Eder, Simon Ramoser, Sarah Braun, Stefan Weltge, „Efficient active-passive vehicle coordination in multimodal transportation networks“, to appear in the Journal of Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review.,
  • Leo Sünkel, Jonas Stein, Maximilian Zorn, Thomas Gabor and Claudia Linnhoff-Popien, „Time-Aware Qubit Assignment and Circuit Optimization for Distributed Quantum Computing“, to appear in the Proceedings of the IEEE QCE 2025.,
  • David Bucher, Daniel Porawski, Maximilian Janetschek, Jonas Stein, Corey O’Meara, Giorgio Cortiana, Claudia Linnhoff-Popien, „Efficient QAOA Architecture for Solving Multi-Constrained Optimization Problems“, to appear in the Proceedings of the IEEE QCE 2025.

We congratulate the authors and look forward to a lively exchange at QCE 2025.


Third QCHALLenge Consortial-Meeting

The 3rd QCHALLenge Consortial-Meeting

Progress, Sucess and Roadmaps

(Ludwigshafen, 03.06.2025) Representatives of the QCHALLenge consortium from LMU, Siemens, SAP, BMW, Aqarios GmbH and BASF came together again in the third year to discuss the status of the project. The third consortium meeting took place this year on June 3, 2025 at the invitation of consortium partner BASF in Ludwigshafen.
In the presence of Mr. Johann Schmidt from DLR project support, a welcome address by consortium leader Claudia Linhoff-Popien (LMU) was followed by a lively discussion on the progress and objectives of the individual work packages. The core objective of the project – the processing of the consortium partners’ industry use cases – had already been completed and the results and approaches integrated into the newly developed QCHALLenge software package. Presentations of published research from Siemens, SAP and LMU, among others, were also well received. Finally, the last remaining milestone, which is planned under the leadership of BMW and BASF in the form of a roadmap of quantum readiness for the industry and is already in preparation, was discussed in particular.
The consortium would like to thank the DRL project management and project support and is now entering the final months of the QCHALLenge project together.


2nd QuCUN Status Seminar 2024: Successful exchange of the German quantum computing community

2nd QuCUN Status Seminar 2024: Successful exchange of the German quantum computing community

Das 2. Statusseminar Quantencomputing fand am 18. und 19. November 2024 in München statt. Ziel der Veranstaltung war der Austausch zwischen Quantenexperten und die Schaffung von Synergien in der Quantenforschung.

The 2nd Status Seminar Quantum Computing took place in Munich on November 18 and 19, 2024. The event aimed to foster exchange between quantum experts, practitioners, and researchers and create synergies and new ideas in quantum research.

On November 18 and 19, 2024, leading experts from the German quantum computing scene met for the 2nd QuCUN Status Seminar at the historic Gaszählerwerkstatt in Munich. The two-day event brought together over 100 participants from research, industry, and start-ups.
The network meeting offered a unique platform for an intensive exchange between project partners of the BMBF funding measures “Application Network for Quantum Computing” and “Application-oriented Quantum Informatics”. Representatives of renowned hardware and software manufacturers and industrial users of quantum computing presented their latest developments and discussed current challenges. Valuable discussions and new ideas for cooperation between the participating research institutions, companies, and start-ups arose both during the networking breaks and in the poster sessions.

The positive feedback from participants confirms the important role of the QuCUN status seminar as a central networking platform for the German quantum computing community. The event contributed to strengthening Germany as a quantum computing location.


QuCUN @ Quantum Effects Fair in Stuttgart 2024

QuCUN @ Quantum Effects Fair in Stuttgart 2024

Stuttgart’s quantum technology fair, “Quantum Effects,” took place on October 8 and 9, 2024, and once again established itself as the world’s leading trade fair for application-oriented quantum technologies. Around 2,500 participants from 27 countries met in the Stuttgart exhibition hall to discuss innovations and developments in quantum technology.

QuCUN gave an informative presentation entitled “QuCUN – The Quantum Computing User Network” on the current state of development of the quantum computing application platform, as well as the low-threshold services offered by the Quantum Computing Access Office, which makes it easier for companies to get started in quantum computing. In addition, QuCUN’s project partner SAP organized the “Quantum Computing for Absolute Beginners” workshop and presented solutions for companies getting started with quantum computing. With 85 exhibitors, the fair offered a comprehensive overview of current quantum technologies, focusing on quantum computers (51%) and quantum applications (29%).

The event provided a unique platform for science and industry to network, discuss projects, and promote scientific exchange.


Quantum Computing – Applications for Industry DLR Workshop

DLR Workshop Event 2024

Quantum Computing – Applications for Industry

(Berlin, 03/04.12.2024) Funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the initiative “Quantum Computing – Applications for Industry” supports various projects and evaluates the program’s scientific impact. Over two days, the workshop at the Forum Digitale Technologien in Berlin gathered more than 70 participants from research and industry to discuss progress and future challenges.

Key projects presented include:

  • QUASIM: Simulating rotor blade milling for aircraft engines, with the potential to reduce waste by 80% using quantum computing.
  • QuaST: A decision-tree tool for optimizing problem-solving across quantum and classical computing, aiding industries like semiconductor manufacturing.
  • Qompiler: A new programming language, Qrisp, designed to simplify software development for quantum computers.

Additional contributions came from:

  • The Quantum Computing User Network (QuCUN), funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
  • The QUA-SAR project of the DLR Quantum Computing Initiative.
  • Bench-QC from Munich Quantum Valley, focusing on application-driven benchmarking.
  • The Bundesdruckerei Group.

This collaborative effort showcased innovative tools and strategies to make quantum computing more accessible and impactful for businesses.


Tage der digitalen Technologien 2024

Tage der digitalen Technologien 2024

Together, connected in Berlin

(Berlin, October 7, 2024) Under the motto “Transformation through innovation – sustainable, sovereign, networked”, the conference of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) – Tage der digitalen technologien 2024 (Days of digital Technologies 2024) – took place in Berlin on October 7 and 8. Representing the QCHALLenge consortium, members of Siemens, SAP and LMU were present with a exhibition stall and informed conference visitors about the consortium’s progress and ideas. Goals and use cases of quantum computing from industry and science were presented to interested visitors as part of two larger guided tours and several individual pitches.


QCHALLenge Consortial Meeting 2024

QCHALLenge Consortial Meeting 2024

Exchange on the accomplished tasks and coordinating future efforts

(June 11, 2024/Garching) For our annual meetup more than twenty members of the consortium accompanied by the DLR got together for a full day workshop at the new Siemens campus in Garching near Munich to update each other on the current status of the project. Starting with internal kickoffs of work complexes 8 and 9, and continuing with an on premise tour of the LRZ Quantum Integration Center to get a feeling of qauntum hardware, the official part started after lunchtime and covered in-depth updates of the major work packages, including use cases, the software framework as well as fundamental reasearch on QML and decomposition techniques for quantum optimization.
After intensive technical discussions the workshop concluded in a positive outlook for the success of the project from all parties involved.


Kickoff 7th QC Optimization Challenge

Kickoff 7th QC Optimization Challenge

Students from the LMU Munich will provide valuable insights into possible Quantum Applications

(May 7, 2024/Munich) The practical course will provide the ability to model optimization problems for quantum computers, as well as an introduction to practical work with existing quantum computers. Four computers are currently available in the QAR Lab for this purpose: IBM Q System Two, IonQ Aria-2, Fujitsu DAU, D-Wave Advantage.
In cooperation with our industry partners BMW Group, SAP and Siemens projects with high relevance for concrete applications are calculated by our students on quantum computers in this semester. With the three use cases (1) Topology Optimization (BMW), (2) VM Balance Assignment (SAP), (3) Image Classification (SAP), (4) BnB hybrid Optimization (Siemens) and (5) Distribution Modelling (Siemens), the students will explore the main applications of quantum computing: machine learning, simulation and optimization.

We are pleased to make this possible for the 7th time and are looking forward to the results at the end of this semester.

About the QCP

The Quantum Computing Optimization Challenge is a practical course initiated by Prof. Dr. Claudia Linnhoff-Popien, head of the Chair of Mobile and Distributed Systems at LMU Munich. It took place for the first time in 2020 and has been an integral part of the curriculum ever since. This practical course teaches the ability to model optimization problems for quantum computers, as well as an introduction to practical work with existing quantum computers. Four computers are currently available for this purpose in the QAR Lab: IBM Q System Two, IonQ Aria-2, Fujitsu DAU, D-Wave Advantage. In cooperation with well-known partners from industry, tasks with strong relevance for practical applications are assigned each semester. The students have the opportunity to execute and compare one task on two computers. In the summer semester 2024, it takes place for the 7th time. Use cases in areas of optimization, machine learning and simulation are on the agenda.


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