University of Waterloo Launches Open Quantum Design for Open-source Quantum Computing
Researchers from the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Science and the Institute for Quantum Computing have established Open Quantum Design (OQD), the world’s first open-source, full stack quantum computer. Co-founded in 2024 by Drs.
Crystal Senko, Rajibul Islam, Roger Melko, and CEO Greg Dick, OQD aims to foster collaboration in quantum research. The initiative, which builds on eight years of development at IQC, uses ion-trapping technology to manipulate ions as quantum bits (qubits).
OQD has over 30 software contributors and is partnering with organizations like the University of Waterloo and Xanadu to provide access to its technology stack. By enabling broad participation and access to quantum hardware, OQD seeks to accelerate advancements in quantum computing and train future industry experts, offering an alternative collaborative model to traditional academic and startup approaches.
