China has released Origin Pilot, its first indigenous quantum computing OS, for free public download, powering the Origin Wukong supercomputer and supporting diverse qubits like superconducting and trapped ions. This open-source milestone boosts global research, contrasts U.S. cloud limits, and aligns with China's quantum tech push.
China's groundbreaking release of Origin Pilot, its first homegrown quantum computing operating system, is now available for public online download, marking a pivotal step toward global quantum ecosystem growth. Developed by Origin Quantum in Hefei, this integrated quantum-classical-AI OS supports diverse qubit types and lowers barriers for researchers worldwide, accelerating China's tech self-reliance amid rising quantum computing demands.
Key Highlights
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Origin Pilot, first launched in 2021 by Hefei-based Origin Quantum Computing Technology Co., has evolved through iterations and powers the firm's third-generation superconducting quantum computer, Origin Wukong.
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The OS is compatible with superconducting qubits, trapped ions, and neutral atoms, offering unified programming via frameworks like QPanda for seamless integration across heterogeneous quantum hardware.
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Core features include parallel quantum task execution, automatic qubit calibration, resource scheduling, and hardware-software coordination, boosting system efficiency for research and commercial applications.
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As the world's first open-source quantum OS for local download, it contrasts with U.S. leaders like IBM and Google, who limit access to cloud services and frameworks without public OS deployment.
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Guo Guoping, chief scientist at Origin Quantum, calls it the "soft heart" of the quantum ecosystem, shifting China from closed innovation to open collaboration benefiting global developers.
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The Anhui Quantum Computing Engineering Research Center announced the release on February 25, 2026, aligning with China's 15th Five-Year Plan prioritizing quantum tech among future industries like 6G and AI.
This development from the Anhui Quantum Computing Engineering Research Center underscores China's quantum leap, enabling universities, labs, and enterprises to overcome software hurdles and drive industrialization. Team lead Dou Menghan emphasized quick chip integration for real-world quantum jobs, fostering innovation flows worldwide. As quantum computing transitions from labs to deployment, Origin Pilot positions China at the forefront of accessible, high-performance quantum software.
Sources: Global Times via NewsGD.com, Dimsum Daily, China Daily