IBM Completes Acquisition of HRL Laboratories to Accelerate the Future of Quantum
| Source: IBM Newsroom AI
Tags: IBM, HRL Laboratories, quantum computing, silicon-spin qubits, superconducting qubits, Anderon, Boeing, General Motors
IBM has completed its acquisition of HRL Laboratories from Boeing and General Motors, gaining silicon-spin qubit expertise to complement its superconducting quantum platform—two distinct qubit modalities now under one roof as IBM builds toward its 2029 Starling and mid-2030s Blue Jay fault-tolerant computers.
Details
IBM has closed its acquisition of HRL Laboratories, a research institution previously co-owned by Boeing and General Motors, for undisclosed terms. The deal is strategic rather than financial: HRL brings silicon-spin qubit expertise that complements IBM's existing superconducting quantum platform, giving IBM two distinct physical approaches to quantum computing under one roof. HRL's contribution extends beyond qubits. The lab adds quantum sensing, quantum materials science, cryogenic engineering, control electronics, packaging, and interconnect technology to IBM's hardware portfolio—effectively the full quantum hardware stack. IBM plans to connect HRL's silicon expertise with Anderon, its pure-play quantum wafer foundry, creating a tighter manufacturing and R&D pipeline. IBM's published quantum roadmap gives the acquisition concrete context: IBM Quantum Starling, targeted for 2029, is designed to execute 100 million quantum operations and deliver substantially greater capability than current systems. It will be followed by Blue Jay, IBM's next-generation fault-tolerant computer aimed at the mid-2030s. HRL's hardware capabilities are explicitly positioned to help IBM hit those milestones. Boeing and General Motors retain partnership agreements with IBM and HRL on quantum applications and advanced technology development—preserving commercial relationships even as ownership transfers. Financial terms were not disclosed.