What
IQM, a world-leading developer of quantum computers, sought to create an innovative exterior for their flagship product, aiming to match the expectations and needs of early adopters, creating a unique and worthy expression while maintaining immediate manufacturability.
Client: IQM Quantum Computers
Year: 2024
How
Edea provided IQM with an exterior design for their top-of-the-line quantum computer. The new IQM Radiance design aims to create a conceptual and futuristic appearance, while making it harmonize with the current state of technology and support the people working with the machines every day.
Services: Industrial Design, Concept Development, Mechanical Design.
Opening the doors to quantum computation
IQM is one of the global leaders in the development and production of quantum computers, and Edea has been beyond excited to contribute to the design of the IQM Radiance.
Currently supporting 20 and 54 qubits, with 150 qubits in sight, IQM Radiance aims at making the advantages of quantum computing available and integratable to early adoptors.
Traversing science and fiction
Quantum computers are now at a similar stage of development as conventional computers were in the middle of the 20th century – the relationship between size and processing power is in rapid development. Currently, the structure can take up quite a lot of space with a myriad of specialized components that need to be orderly arranged and easy to access.
While still very much under development, the theoretical advantage offered by quantum computation shows promise in advancing technology and knowledge in fields like science, medicine and encryption. Steady advances in technology followed by the development of specialized quantum algorithms, are slowly turning futuristic fiction into applicable science.
Core technology
These computers make use of quantum phenomenon to build special circuits. This requires cooling down the equipment to near absolute zero, allowing for superconductivity and pronounced particle behavior. All of this needs to be isolated from the environment, and one of our core tasks was to design an exterior worthy of the cutting-edge technology inside.
Wieldable power
Our hood design uses overlaying metal sheets, cutouts and lights to create a dramatic final layer, with a graceful invitation to the world of quantum computation.
We were aiming to express the power and potential of these computers with a slightly mystical, but simple and circuit-inspired design.
Building a design language
The whole computer assembly meshes together specialized parts with different standards and requirements, such as computer racks and cooling equipment. We created a design language with chamfers, cuts and gaps that could be repeated throughout the whole structure.
Simple complexity
Quantum computation may be a field in rapid development, but the computers need to be designed so they can be built and used today. We were excited to work with IQM in developing a design that harmonized with the current state of technology and business, but still presented a step towards an intriguing future.
With a few established design elements in place, we were able to design in detail the exterior of the whole system to mesh together easily, giving room for airflow and cable management, as well as easy access for operation and maintenance. Quantum computation may not be easy to understand, but at least it should be easy to use the IQM Radiance. We are excited to see what the future holds!