BEIJING – China has officially released its self-developed quantum computer operating system, Origin Pilot, for public download, marking a significant step towards lowering the barriers to entry and fostering a more robust domestic quantum computing ecosystem. The release, announced on , comes after years of development by Hefei-based Origin Quantum Computing Technology Co., Ltd., initially unveiled in 2021.
Origin Pilot isn’t simply a software package; it’s a foundational layer designed to manage the complex interplay between quantum hardware and software. Quantum computer operating systems are responsible for critical functions like resource scheduling – allocating qubits and other resources to specific tasks – and software-hardware collaborative management, ensuring seamless communication between the control systems and the quantum processor itself. Crucially, the system also incorporates capabilities for parallel quantum task processing and automatic qubit calibration, both of which are essential for maximizing the efficiency and accuracy of quantum computations.
The significance of this release lies in its accessibility. According to Dou Menghan, leader of the Origin Pilot development team, the opening of unified programming interfaces and a standardized driving system aims to dismantle technical hurdles that have historically limited access to quantum computing resources. “Completing download at the official website of Origin Quantum, users can efficiently connect to various physical quantum chips and conduct quantum programming based on independent frameworks like QPanda,” Dou stated, as reported by the Science and Technology Daily.
This move is particularly noteworthy given the diverse technological approaches being pursued in the field of quantum computing. Origin Pilot is designed to support multiple quantum processor technologies, including superconducting qubits, ion traps, and neutral atom systems. This broad compatibility is a key differentiator, as different approaches have their own strengths and weaknesses, and it remains unclear which will ultimately prove most scalable and practical. Currently, the operating system is deployed and operational on Origin Wukong series of quantum computers.
Origin Quantum Computing Technology Co., Ltd. Is a key player in China’s burgeoning quantum industry. The company has been actively developing both quantum hardware and software, and its efforts align with the broader national strategy to achieve technological self-reliance in critical areas like quantum computing. The release of Origin Pilot builds on previous advancements, including the development of China’s first superconducting quantum computer ready for commercial use, as reported in late 2025.
The impact of a widely accessible quantum operating system extends beyond simply providing more people with access to quantum hardware. It fosters innovation by allowing researchers, academics, and developers to experiment with new algorithms, explore different quantum programming paradigms, and contribute to the overall advancement of the field. The standardized interfaces and driving system are intended to streamline the development process, reducing the time and effort required to build and deploy quantum applications.
However, it’s important to understand the current state of quantum computing. While the field has made significant progress in recent years, quantum computers are still in their early stages of development. They are prone to errors, limited in the number of qubits they possess, and require extremely specialized environments to operate. Origin Pilot addresses some of these challenges through features like automatic qubit calibration, but it doesn’t eliminate them entirely.
The availability of Origin Pilot also raises questions about the broader geopolitical landscape of quantum computing. The United States, Europe, and other nations are also heavily invested in developing their own quantum capabilities. China’s move to open up its operating system to international developers could be seen as an attempt to establish a global standard and attract talent to its quantum ecosystem. Whether this strategy will succeed remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing race to build the world’s first fault-tolerant, scalable quantum computer.
The release of Origin Pilot is a concrete step towards realizing the potential of quantum computing. By lowering the barriers to entry and fostering collaboration, China is positioning itself as a major player in this transformative technology. The coming months and years will be crucial in determining whether this initiative will translate into tangible breakthroughs and accelerate the development of practical quantum applications.
