Multiverse Computing and Kyndryl Launch Quantum Logistics Pilot for Automotive Supply Chains in Spain

Quantum-Enabling Automotive Supply Chain Resilience

Spain’s automotive industry gained a cutting-edge boost in late May 2023, as Multiverse Computing—a European quantum software leader—and Kyndryl, IBM’s IT infrastructure spin-off, announced a major quantum logistics pilot designed to enhance supply chain resilience. The initiative applies quantum-inspired algorithms to optimize inventory management, forecast disruption risks, and improve just-in-time delivery systems supporting Spain’s key automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.

Unveiled on May 24, 2023, this project exemplifies the shift from theoretical quantum experimentation toward operational integration in industrial logistics.

Strategic Partnership Born from Supply Chain Disruptions

Headquartered in San Sebastián, Multiverse Computing specializes in finance, energy, and industrial optimization using both quantum and quantum-inspired methods. Its Singularity platform utilizes tensor networks—a mathematical framework derived from quantum physics—to simulate supply chain behaviors with significantly reduced computational overhead compared to classical models.

Partnering with Kyndryl, which manages critical IT infrastructure for numerous clients worldwide, Multiverse brought these innovations directly to Spain’s automotive sector. This collaboration responds to ongoing disruptions from semiconductor shortages, energy price volatility, and geopolitical tensions exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Pilot Scope: Quantum-Enhanced Inventory and Risk Forecasting

The pilot focuses on three key operational areas:

• Spare Parts Inventory Optimization
  Quantum-inspired models simulate variability from downstream suppliers and upstream delivery delays. Forecasting tools enable warehouse managers to identify optimal restocking thresholds while avoiding excess inventory.

• Disruption Risk Modeling
  The platform treats geopolitical and economic shocks as probabilistic disturbances within the supply chain graph. Tensor networks efficiently calculate shock propagation, facilitating dynamic mitigation strategies.

• Multi-tier Supply Visualization
  Conventional tools typically model only two or three supplier tiers due to computational limits. Singularity processes up to eight-tier supplier trees in seconds, offering deep visibility from raw materials to final assembly.

This enhanced modeling benefits manufacturers like SEAT, Renault Spain, and Ford Valencia, all operating lean, demand-responsive supply chains vulnerable to cascading disruptions.

Technical Approach: Quantum-Inspired, Not Hardware-Dependent

Multiverse Computing delivers immediate value through quantum-inspired methods compatible with future gate-based quantum computers. This pilot utilized:

• Tensor Network Solvers adapted from quantum many-body physics for compressing probabilistic models.

• Hybrid Cloud Deployment integrated into Kyndryl’s infrastructure servicing Spanish automotive clients.

• Python SDKs allowing manufacturing IT teams to test models within existing ERP systems.

Notably, these tools operate without requiring access to nascent quantum hardware, enabling easier adoption for automotive manufacturers.

Broader Impact and Regional Goals

Spain’s National Quantum Technologies Strategy (2023-2030) aims to establish the country as a testbed for quantum innovation in logistics and manufacturing. This pilot supports those objectives by:

• Creating operational case studies demonstrating quantum adoption.

• Training regional IT professionals in quantum-enhanced workflows.

• Building trust and visibility for real-world applications.

The Basque Country government has shown interest in expanding similar pilots across other manufacturing sectors.

Reactions and Next Steps

Industry analysts view this pilot as a pragmatic bridge between waiting for fault-tolerant quantum computers and leveraging current quantum-inspired breakthroughs. A Gartner logistics analyst commented, “Multiverse is proving how to generate operational ROI without investing in exotic quantum hardware.”

Kyndryl plans to extend the pilot to predictive maintenance and last-mile delivery simulations by Q4 2023. Meanwhile, Multiverse is exploring comparable partnerships in aerospace sectors in Germany and France.

Why This Matters for Global Quantum Logistics

This initiative adds to a growing portfolio of sector-specific quantum logistics pilots worldwide, with global implications:

• Latin America: Similar supply chain challenges in Mexico and Brazil suggest high replication potential.

• Asia-Pacific: Tiered electronics and automotive suppliers in Japan, South Korea, and Thailand are prime candidates for tensor-network forecasting.

• North America: U.S. automakers like GM and Ford are experimenting with supply chain digital twins that could integrate quantum methods.

In an industry where a single day’s assembly line shutdown can exceed €20 million in losses, predictive and resilient supply chains are critical.

Conclusion

By applying quantum-inspired techniques to tangible manufacturing challenges, Multiverse Computing and Kyndryl have closed the gap between theory and practice, setting a new standard for practical quantum adoption in industrial logistics. Their focus on dynamic risk mitigation and multi-tier supply chain visibility establishes a powerful framework for managing complexity in today’s volatile global supply landscape.

As the automotive industry accelerates its transition to electrification, autonomy, and hyperconnected manufacturing, quantum tools—whether simulated or hardware-based—are poised to become indispensable in navigating supply chain complexities.