Running the AI race, IBM completes acquisition of HRL Laboratories in quantum push

IBM (IBM) has completed its acquisition of HRL Laboratories, LLC, a research and development institution with expertise spanning quantum computing, quantum sensing, advanced communications, electronics, manufacturing, and materials science. Financial terms were not disclosed.

HRL, formerly owned by Boeing and General Motors, brings capabilities in silicon-spin qubits, quantum materials, cryogenics, control electronics, packaging, and interconnect technologies. IBM said these are expected to complement its existing superconducting quantum computing work and support its quantum hardware roadmap.

IBM’s roadmap includes a fault-tolerant quantum computer called Quantum Starling, targeted for 2029, which the company says is expected to perform 100 million quantum operations. A follow-on system called Blue Jay is targeted for the mid-2030s.

The acquisition is also expected to create collaboration opportunities with Anderon, IBM’s quantum wafer foundry, supporting manufacturing across multiple quantum computing approaches.