NEC drops its quantum computing work, marking an end to nearly 30 years of development

Date:
Sat, 12 Sep 2026 20:05:00 +0000

Description:
NEC is reportedly ending quantum hardware development after decades of research, while Fujitsu gains researchers and continues pursuing increasingly larger systems.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter 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. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: 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. You may like
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Intel eventually surpassed NEC as personal computer processors grew into a massive and highly profitable segment of the global electronics market.

NEC's 1999 breakthrough in superconducting qubits emerged from a firm that possessed vast internal expertise in solid-state device engineering and manufacturing. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners
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Its researchers produced the earliest known solid-state qubit, a milestone still referenced widely across the quantum computing field.

Variants of that early breakthrough now quietly underpin quantum processors currently built separately by both technology giants Google and IBM.

Unlike NEC, IBM remained committed to quantum hardware and grew into a
leading global developer of quantum computing systems overall. What to read next Why the UKs quantum procurement strategy matters more than the 2bn headline IBM reveals plans for 'quantum fridges' its next-gen cooling hardware, which could be the key to quantum computers finally reaching their potential Why business leaders need to take quantum seriously

That contrast makes NEC's exit relatively rare among the original corporate pioneers of quantum computing hardware development. A retreat that took
nearly a decade NEC did not exit the semiconductor business overnight; the retreat instead unfolded gradually across roughly a full decade of restructuring.

The company effectively abandoned its DRAM memory operations in 1999, folding them into a joint venture that was later renamed Elpida.

In November 2002, NEC spun off its remaining chip units, covering microcontrollers and system-on-chip devices, into an entirely new firm.

That entity was subsequently renamed NEC Electronics, eventually becoming the major chipmaker now known globally as Renesas Electronics.

NEC's current business portfolio now centers on IT services, enterprise systems, aerospace, defense, telecom infrastructure, AI and security work.

Quantum hardware development apparently did not fit naturally alongside that existing and increasingly diversified corporate business focus of the company today.

NEC has not formally described the move as a complete withdrawal from quantum computing research.

The company says it will keep assessing real-world uses and commercialization paths connected to quantum technology.

Quantum computing hardware remains a notably costly pursuit, and returns on investment can take many additional years to materialize fully.

Meanwhile, Fujitsu, working alongside research partner Riken, already
launched a quantum computer built around 256 superconducting qubits last
year.

The firm aims to build a system exceeding 1,000 qubits sometime within 2026, according to earlier public statements from company officials.

Longer term, Fujitsu has reportedly set a goal of building machines that
carry over 10,000 superconducting qubits before fiscal 2030 arrives.

NEC's departure suggests that even firms with decades of deep expertise increasingly view quantum hardware as commercially unviable in the short
term.

Via Diamond Online (originally in Japanese) Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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