China Hanyuan No. 1 First Atomic Quantum for Industrial Use
Commercialization of Neutral-Atom Computers in China. China took a big step towards quantum information science technological independence with the commercial release of its first atomic quantum computer, the “Hanyuan No. 1.” After this development, China is a leader in quantum computing.
The Hanyuan No. 1, which uses neutral-atom quantum computing, has sold over 40 million yuan. Delivery to a China Mobile affiliate and a worldwide sale to Pakistan are notable. Hubei Daily reports that the Hanyuan No. 1's commercial launch shows Hubei's growing importance in China's economic and technological modernisation. Adopting Neutral Atom Technology The Chinese media call the Hanyuan No. 1 an atomic quantum computer, which manipulates neutral or “cold” atoms held and controlled by lasers. This technology challenges the current status of superconducting quantum devices, which operate at extremely low temperatures. The Hanyuan No. 1 runs at ambient temperature, saving energy and maintenance compared to superconducting devices. This energy efficiency and local manufacturing capacity may affect China's economic and technological objectives. Innovation Academy for Precision created: China's first full quantum device using cold atoms as qubits is the Hanyuan No. 1 from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Measurement Science and Technology. The Hubei Provincial Department of Science & Technology funded the initiative through its “Pioneer” program, which emphasises emerging technology. Wuhan University, Zhongke Kuyuan Technology, and Huazhong University of Science and Technology also contributed. Dependability, Performance Hanyuan No. 1 has 100 qubits, the computational building blocks of a quantum computer. It is believed to be reliable enough for worldwide standards. Interestingly, only three standard equipment racks can hold the system. The system has demonstrated it can manage complex applications in critical industries. Quantum computing could benefit financial risk analysis, logistical optimisation, and financial modelling immediately. Making a Domestic Supply Chain A full domestic supply chain is a key Hanyuan project strategy. Hubei's Optics Valley, a burgeoning optoelectronics manufacturing area, was used for this. Engineers created high-performance lasers for accurate atomic qubit control and constructed a complete R&D pipeline from chip creation and packaging to system testing. Domestic lasers consume a tenth of the energy of international systems. This move to local component manufacture reduces costs and allows the development team sidestep international supply chains, supporting China's advanced computing technological self-sufficiency. Building a Quantum Ecosystem Hanyuan aims to create a business ecosystem around neutral-atom technologies, not simply hardware. The collaboration includes over 50 universities and businesses to study quantum applications. Researchers at Wuhan University and Wuhan Institute of Quantum Technology developed a cloud-based computing platform combining hardware optimisation and visual programming. This platform enables non-experts to build and evaluate quantum algorithms to make the technology more accessible. The research team is also creating China's first neutral-atom quantum computer power centre. Once operational, this centre will hold clusters of computers for 24/7 computing. It expects to serve over 1,000 enterprise clients a year with computationally intensive applications like industrial system modelling. Broader Quantum Goals The Hanyuan No. 1's launch follows other quantum research milestones in China, showing the country's commitment to the field. University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) quantum researchers Professor Chao-Yang Lu and academic administrator Jianwei Pan set a neutral atom quantum technology world record in 2025. Project collaborators included Shanghai Research Centre for Quantum Sciences. Chinese researchers view the Hanyuan No. 1 device as a proof of concept due to its stability, room-temperature operation, and local component production. Project authorities seek to improve system performance and expand computing clusters to accommodate high-end applications like materials design and pharmaceutical discovery.
