Origin Wukong Quantum Computer: China’s Third-Gen Computer
Wukong Quantum Computer Origin
Origin Origin Quantum, situated in Hefei, China, built China's third-generation autonomous superconducting quantum computer, Wukong. It launched on January 6, 2024, introducing China to quantum computing.
Sun Wukong, the Monkey King from Journey to the West, is the computer's namesake. He is known for his “72 transformations” and mystical skills. This moniker represents the machine's power, versatility, and revolutionary potential.
Technical Specifications and Development
Source: QubitCount The 72-qubit superconducting quantum computer Wukong employs a company-created “Wukong chip”. The chip's 198 physical qubits include 72 functional and 126 coupler qubits to facilitate communication and maintain control as qubits rise.
Its operating temperature must be near absolute zero (-273.15°C), like earlier quantum computers. This requires specially connected cables that separate heat and transfer signals without distortion.
In collaboration with China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, the team developed ultra-low-temperature microwave connection modules with high density. China's superconducting quantum computer industry needs these modules to industrialize.
System Control: Original The system includes Quantum's third-generation quantum control system (“Tianji”). The first automated batch testing of quantum chips in China was enabled by this method, which sped chip calibration and validation and enhanced machine runtime efficiency by dozens of times. Automation facilitates steady performance and faster qubit tuning for quantum processor scaling.
Origin Quantum develops processors, system software, and hardware. China's first quantum computing operating system and control circuits were developed. Vertical integration is needed to optimize speed and implement enhanced error avoidance. China has completed its domestic production chain for superconducting quantum computers, reducing its dependence on foreign components and building a quantum hardware supply chain.
Historical Setting
A conference on quantum physics conducted by Chinese Academy of Sciences member Guo Guangcan started China's quantum computer journey 26 years ago. Leading physicist Qian Xuesen advised addressing quantum information system technological difficulties. Guo Guangcan then began a research project that obtained funding for China's first national quantum information program in 2001. His student and current Origin Quantum chief scientist, Guo Guoping, led important solid-state quantum chip research projects and made a quantum logic gate operation breakthrough in 2013, laying the groundwork for semiconductor-based quantum computers.
Global achievement and accessibility
Through the Origin Quantum Cloud, Origin Wukong Quantum Computer gives people worldwide temporary, free access. Since its release, it has earned global attention: In three months, it performed about 180,000 global quantum computing operations and recorded 8 million remote visits from 120 countries.
Nearly 339,000 jobs were completed, and early 2025 saw nearly 20 million visits.
More than 320,000 missions were performed in 139 countries by April 2025.
Over 530,000 quantum-computing operations for clients in 145 countries were completed by July 2025.
Wukong's cloud has many American users.
Application and Effect
Source Wukong lets professors and students perform intermediate-scale quantum algorithms on a Chinese quantum processor for research in various fields. Among its uses:
Problems with optimization and circuit experiments.
Quantum computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, including the largest, were completed.
Machine learning quantum.
Biopharmaceuticals, fintech, quantum-enhanced AI, and molecular-level biochemical simulations to expedite medication development.
Some applications have moved from lab to field pilots.
Comparison to Other Quantum Computers
The 72 qubits of Wukong are a Chinese business record. Wukong delivered a locally built quantum computer despite being modest compared to American devices like IBM's 1,121-qubit Condor processor. Google demonstrated quantum processing advantage with their 53-qubit Sycamore processor, but Origin Quantum has not with Wukong. In 2021, a USTC team in China achieved quantum advantage with Zuchongzhi 2.1, a 66-qubit superconductor. Zuchongzhi 3.0, presented by another Chinese group, set a quantum computational advantage record in superconducting systems with 105 qubits.
Commercialization, Security
On April 10, 2024, Origin Wukong's Quantum Computer received China's first post-quantum cryptography "anti-quantum attack shield," improving processing power and security. This requires quantum-resistant encryption for platform data transmission to demonstrate proactive protections against hypothetical quantum attacks.
Origin A Chinese government agency, university, and supercomputing center use Wukong Quantum Computer commercially.
Origin Quantum is the only Chinese business offering full superconducting quantum computers.
First export of China's quantum computing technology was a UN Security Council commercial purchase order. Additionally, a major European client bought quantum computing power through export sales.
The US, Canada, and China are the only countries that can commercialize superconducting quantum computers.
Future Hopes
Chinese authorities prioritize developing cutting-edge sectors like quantum technology to lay the framework for future industrial domination. Origin Quantum develops applications, methods, and principles for scalable programmable quantum computing. Quantum computing might cut AI training time from weeks to hours, making it an attractive industrial accelerator.
In coming years, the worldwide quantum computing market could reach $800 billion. Origin Wukong Quantum Computer is China's "entry ticket" into the elite group of superconducting quantum computer producers, laying the stage for error correction and reduction improvements. Quantum computing expertise and software development benefit from its cloud access.
Compare Origin Wukong Quantum Computer to a public library with powerful and rare study tools or a locally built “quantum supercomputer” available to the globe. Although it cannot currently outperform traditional supercomputers in all tasks, it is a significant initial step that allows academics worldwide to test state-of-the-art quantum algorithms and accelerates the quantum ecosystem.