Fujitsu and RIKEN Launch Joint Quantum-Inspired Warehouse Optimization Platform
October 13, 2016
Japan’s Quantum-Inspired Leap in Logistics Efficiency
On October 13, 2016, Fujitsu and RIKEN, Japan’s leading natural sciences research institute, unveiled a new quantum-inspired computing platform aimed at revolutionizing warehouse logistics. Designed to operate in advance of full-scale quantum computers, the platform uses digital annealing—a classical approach that mimics quantum annealing for solving combinatorial optimization problems in logistics environments.
The pilot system was deployed in a Fujitsu-operated smart warehouse near Yokohama, focusing on optimization challenges like shelf assignment, route planning for autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), and robotic picking efficiency.
Digital Annealing as a Bridge to Quantum Logistics
Fujitsu’s digital annealer does not rely on quantum hardware but rather simulates quantum-like behavior using specialized classical architectures. This approach allows for solving large-scale optimization problems in logistics using currently available infrastructure.
Dr. Masashi Yamamoto, lead engineer at Fujitsu’s AI and Quantum Group, explained: “Digital annealing enables businesses to gain quantum-like acceleration in warehouse optimization without waiting for fault-tolerant quantum computers.”
The partnership with RIKEN provided theoretical grounding and algorithmic refinement, drawing from RIKEN’s expertise in quantum chemistry and computational science.
Key Warehouse Optimization Focus Areas
The October pilot addressed several core logistics inefficiencies:
Dynamic shelf placement optimization based on SKU velocity
Forklift and AGV routing in densely packed environments
Minimizing robot idle time through task load balancing
Using digital annealing, the team was able to model thousands of inventory permutations and route combinations to find optimal solutions in minutes—tasks that would take conventional systems hours or days.
Results from the Yokohama Pilot
Initial results from the two-month trial showed:
A 22% reduction in travel time for autonomous warehouse vehicles
An 18% increase in pick-and-pack throughput
Reduced congestion and task conflicts among robotic systems
These improvements translated to substantial cost savings and better responsiveness for e-commerce clients using just-in-time inventory models.
Integration with IoT and AI Systems
The quantum-inspired optimization platform was integrated with Fujitsu’s existing warehouse management system (WMS) and real-time sensor networks. Data from IoT devices—like RFID scanners and shelf weight sensors—was fed into the digital annealer to generate adaptive layout and route plans.
AI modules built on top of the optimization core provided human-readable recommendations to logistics managers, such as:
When to rotate high-velocity items closer to dispatch zones
How to schedule robot battery recharging to avoid workflow disruption
Predictive maintenance timing for robotic arms based on usage patterns
Future Development and Scalability
Fujitsu announced plans to deploy the platform in additional warehouses across Japan and Southeast Asia, particularly those serving electronics and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors.
A next-generation digital annealer with expanded capacity (expected in late 2017) would support even larger optimization problems, such as inter-warehouse coordination and multi-node distribution planning.
The eventual goal, according to RIKEN’s Professor Kazuo Nishimura, is to enable real-time adaptive warehouse systems that can learn and reconfigure themselves based on incoming demand and supply variability.
Implications for Global Warehousing
The success of the Fujitsu–RIKEN initiative was seen as a model for logistics modernization in the Asia-Pacific region. With China, South Korea, and Singapore also investing in smart logistics, quantum-inspired optimization emerged as a cost-effective and near-term strategy.
In Europe and North America, companies like Amazon Robotics and Ocado were also exploring quantum algorithms, but Fujitsu’s decision to pursue a hybrid model gave it a head start.
Conclusion
The October 2016 launch of Fujitsu and RIKEN’s digital annealing platform represents a pivotal advance in applying quantum-inspired computing to warehouse logistics. By tackling core inefficiencies in layout, routing, and robotic tasking, the project demonstrates how businesses can leverage cutting-edge computational models to drive real-world performance gains—long before practical quantum hardware arrives.
With logistics networks under increasing strain from global trade demands and e-commerce surges, such innovations may soon become essential components of competitive supply chain strategies.