IBM Accelerates Quantum Innovation with Completion of HRL Acquisition
IBM has completed its acquisition of HRL Laboratories, LLC, a leading R&D institution that specializes in quantum computing and advanced technologies. The combination brings together complementary expertise in quantum computing, sensing, materials science, and advanced technologies to accelerate future innovation.
The acquisition complements IBM's leadership in superconducting quantum computing with HRL's expertise in silicon-spin qubits. HRL also contributes capabilities in quantum sensing, quantum materials, cryogenics, control electronics, packaging, and interconnect technologies that will strengthen IBM's quantum hardware roadmap.
IBM continues to advance its superconducting-qubit architectures through breakthroughs in hardware, error correction, software, and algorithms designed to enable increasingly capable quantum systems. The company's roadmap includes the development of its fault-tolerant quantum computer, IBM Quantum Starling, expected by 2029 to perform 100 million quantum operations and deliver greater computational capability than today's quantum computers.
The acquisition also complements IBM's broader innovation and investment in quantum manufacturing and infrastructure. HRL's expertise in silicon-based quantum technologies creates opportunities for future collaboration with Anderon, IBM's pure-play quantum wafer foundry, supporting scalable manufacturing approaches and accelerating learning cycles across multiple quantum computing modalities.
Boeing and General Motors, HRL's former owners, will continue to partner with IBM and HRL on quantum applications and advanced technology development. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.