Tech update: $30 million for quantum research and Ottawa builds drone testing ground

Canada’s fast-growing quantum computing industry is getting a $30 million boost to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies such as quantum sensors and ultra-fast networks.

The federal government is injecting $14 million into the industry through NGen and DIGITAL, organizations leading two of Canada’s innovation initiatives. They plan to use that funding to bring in additional private investment.

“Over the past two decades, the Canadian government has invested heavily in quantum computing talent and jobs, so it’s great to see this continue,” said Christian Weedbrook, the founder and CEO of Xanadua quantum computer company based in Toronto.

Xanadu has developed a quantum computer called Borealis that is accessible to researchers through the cloud. Weedbrook says it’s being used by universities, government labs, financial firms and automakers to “kick the tires off quantum computers” and figure out how they’ll use the technology as it develops further.

Quantum computers use quantum physics to perform calculations at exponentially faster speeds than conventional computers. While quantum computers are still in their infancy, Weedbrook says the technology will eventually have major implications in areas such as computing, cybersecurity and finance.

“This decade, quantum computers will be a fixture in cloud computing architectures, but otherwise it’s guesswork,” he says. “Hopefully by the end of this century people will look back and wonder how we ever managed without them.”

Taking drones to the next level

A unique drone and advanced robot testing and training center opened at Area XO, a research complex in Ottawa. Operated by Invest Ottawa and InDro Robotics, the drone test center features a high-tech obstacle course that puts aerial and ground robots to the test. The course simulates different weather and terrain types to test how well the drones navigate harsh conditions and assess their performance, safety and market readiness.

New Resources for Black Innovators

The DMZ, an incubator at Toronto Metropolitan University, is refreshing the Black Innovation Launchpad, a skills development platform that supports Black founders. The updated platform will include more information on technology trends and expert insights on key topics for entrepreneurs, including how to validate whether a startup idea is a good idea, leadership development and market research.

Collision returns in 2024

The conference on Collision technology, which concludes today at the Enercare Center, has confirmed it will return to Toronto in 2024. The four-day event has been hosted in the city since 2019 (albeit virtually during the pandemic). Collision organizers say it attracted 36,000 visitors from 118 countries this year.

By the numbers

750: Technology to capture carbon in concrete is gaining momentum. CarbonCurea Nova Scotia company that has become one of the larger players in the industry has just sold its 750th system.

$6 million: Altis Labs, a Toronto company that uses AI to analyze medical images, has closed 6 million dollars in seed capital.

$40 million: Martin Basiri, the co-founder of Waterloo-based unicorn ApplyBoard, has raised $40 million for his new company, Passage. The new venture aims to remove financial barriers for new entrants in Canada entering industries with a labor shortage.

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