QCI’s Quantum Algorithms Target Freight Routing and Network Resilience
April 6, 2023
Quantum Logistics for a Complex Supply Chain Era
In an era marked by geopolitical instability, pandemic aftershocks, and climate-induced supply chain vulnerabilities, Quantum Computing Inc. (QCI) has taken a notable step toward applying quantum technologies to one of the world’s most pressing challenges: resilient and efficient freight logistics.
On April 6, 2023, the company released details of its expanded quantum optimization platform powered by Entanglement Forged Technology (EFT), a proprietary algorithmic approach that sits between traditional quantum simulation and hybrid classical methods. In a private pilot conducted with unnamed logistics and shipping operators, QCI demonstrated real-time rerouting capabilities, lane optimization, and capacity modeling that could radically change how freight is managed under stress conditions.
The announcement places QCI among a growing group of quantum computing firms—including Quantinuum, Pasqal, and Zapata—making inroads into logistics optimization, particularly for national freight networks and private fleet operators.
What Is Entanglement Forged Technology (EFT)?
At the core of QCI’s logistics breakthrough is EFT, a quantum-classical hybrid algorithm designed to emulate entangled systems on classical hardware while retaining quantum-like performance advantages for certain structured problems.
In freight logistics, this allows EFT to:
Map delivery routes as weighted graph structures
Model disruptions (e.g., border closures, extreme weather, port congestion)
Generate and compare hundreds of potential reallocation scenarios simultaneously
Rapidly converge on optimized decisions under complex constraints
Unlike gate-based or annealing systems that often require high-end quantum processors, EFT runs on classical hardware with quantum-inspired acceleration—making it viable for near-term use in commercial settings.
“This approach lets us bypass hardware bottlenecks while delivering quantum-relevant insights today,” said William McGann, CTO of QCI.
Real-World Demonstration: Freight Route Optimization
In the April 6 pilot, QCI partnered with several logistics simulation stakeholders to assess freight routing under disruptive conditions.
Key Simulation Metrics:
Region: U.S. Midwest to East Coast intermodal corridors
Scenario: Sudden port shutdowns on the Eastern Seaboard due to cyberattack
Objective: Reroute cargo flows through alternative ports, rail links, and overland trucking lanes
Using EFT, the QCI platform evaluated over 1.4 million routing permutations in under 30 minutes—compared to the several hours or days that typical enterprise route planners might require to fully reoptimize under such scenarios.
The optimized plan included:
Diversion of 30% of freight from New Jersey ports to Norfolk and Charleston
Redistribution of overland freight volumes from Pennsylvania and Ohio warehouses to Atlanta and Chicago for reprocessing
Improved truck allocation efficiency across major interstates (I-95, I-80)
The output showed a 22% improvement in cargo throughput under disruption, with reduced congestion and idle time compared to baseline models.
Bridging Quantum with Classical Systems
A notable aspect of QCI’s system is its ease of integration with traditional logistics planning platforms. Unlike many quantum solvers requiring specialized SDKs, QCI built its solution to plug into:
SAP Logistics
Oracle Transportation Management
Custom-built fleet dispatch systems
This interoperability enabled real-time data ingestion from telematics, warehouse inventories, and delivery schedules—allowing EFT to perform quantum-classical optimization at scale without overhauling a company’s tech stack.
Why Freight Logistics Needs Quantum Today
Quantum computing has often been criticized for being “years away.” However, logistics is a field where quantum-inspired algorithms can shine even before quantum hardware scales.
Key freight challenges that quantum can address include:
High-dimensional optimization: dozens of interdependent variables (truck availability, fuel prices, inventory timelines, customs delays)
Network resilience modeling: forecasting and adapting to sudden disruptions or surges
Emission minimization: identifying lower-carbon freight paths under regulatory pressure
Inventory rebalancing: adjusting to demand spikes or supplier failures dynamically
According to Deloitte, up to 40% of logistics operators are exploring advanced decision automation, and quantum techniques could unlock billions in cost efficiencies for companies with distributed supply chains.
Competitive Landscape and U.S. Context
QCI’s momentum in April places it alongside other U.S.-based quantum firms such as:
Zapata AI, which has partnered with BMW for automotive logistics modeling
IonQ, which has demonstrated route optimizations in controlled trials
Rigetti, working on supply-chain optimization with government stakeholders
But QCI’s edge lies in delivering usable output without needing a functional quantum computer, making it attractive for shippers wary of expensive pilots or unproven hardware.
Government bodies such as the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) are also scouting quantum-enabled platforms to secure national freight corridors. QCI’s logistics capabilities may soon be part of federal resilience strategies under the National Quantum Initiative.
Looking Ahead: Toward Nationwide Freight Quantum Simulations
QCI plans to publish white papers and performance benchmarks by mid-2023 and is currently onboarding additional industrial partners for further logistics trials. Areas under exploration include:
Cross-border freight between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
Quantum modeling for railroad congestion relief
Simulation of disaster response freight corridors (wildfires, hurricanes)
“We’re not just optimizing logistics—we’re simulating resilience,” said McGann. “And that’s what the global supply chain needs most.”
Conclusion
QCI’s April 6 demonstration isn’t merely a technical curiosity—it represents a tangible step toward quantum-driven logistics becoming a real-time strategic capability. By applying EFT to freight routing, QCI has shown that today’s logistics challenges can be tackled not in five or ten years—but now.
As quantum-inspired technologies like EFT continue to bridge the gap between theory and application, the future of shipping, freight, and disaster-proof supply chains may well be decided not just by trucks or cargo ships—but by quantum algorithms.