Shibaura Institute of Technology, Waseda University, and Fujitsu have announced a breakthrough in robot posture optimization using quantum computing. The research introduces a novel method that dramatically improves how robots calculate inverse kinematics—the process of determining joint angles from a target position—by leveraging qubit-based position representation and quantum entanglement.
Tests on Fujitsu’s quantum simulator showed up to 43% reduction in error rates with fewer calculations compared to traditional approaches. The team also validated the role of quantum entanglement on the 64-qubit quantum computer co-developed by RIKEN and Fujitsu. This marks a significant step towards next-generation robots capable of real-time control and complex motion handling.
Inverse kinematics is notoriously challenging for multi-joint robots, as the number of possible joint combinations grows exponentially. For example, a 17-joint full-body model—comparable to the human body—requires vast computation that is impractical with conventional methods. Current solutions typically approximate with just 7 joints, but at the cost of natural and smooth movement.
By applying quantum entanglement, researchers recreated the natural parent-child joint relationships within a quantum circuit, leading to faster convergence and higher accuracy. Early trials demonstrated that a full-body 17-joint calculation could be executed in just 30 minutes—a milestone that brings humanoid robots and advanced manipulators closer to practical deployment. Potential applications include real-time humanoid control, obstacle avoidance, and energy-efficient robotics, positioning this quantum-powered approach as a game-changer for robotics innovation.
