Quantum Computing Enhances Robot Posture Optimization in Shibaura, Waseda, Fujitsu Collaboration

Shibaura Institute of Technology, Waseda University, and Fujitsu have developed a method for controlling robot posture using quantum computing technology. The approach, focused on inverse kinematics calculations to determine joint angles from a target end-effector position, utilizes qubit-based position representation and quantum entanglement for multi-joint robots.

The method represents each robot link’s orientation and position with qubits, performing forward kinematics calculations via quantum circuits, while inverse kinematics is handled on classical computers. This hybrid quantum-classical approach reduces the number of calculations compared to conventional methods. Verification on Fujitsu’s quantum simulator showed up to a 43% reduction in error with fewer calculations. An experiment on a 64-qubit quantum computer, developed by RIKEN and Fujitsu, confirmed the effectiveness of quantum entanglement in replicating the influence of parent joint movements on child joints, improving convergence speed and accuracy.

For a 17-joint full-body multi-joint model, equivalent to human joints, the method achieved motion calculations in approximately 30 minutes. Unlike traditional approaches that approximate with seven jo...