IBM has agreed to acquire HRL Laboratories, a long-established research institution jointly owned by Boeing and General Motors, in a purchase that expands the company’s quantum strategy beyond its focus on superconducting qubits.
IBM has invested heavily in superconducting qubits, the architecture supporting its current quantum systems and future roadmap. HRL, by contrast, has specialized in electron spin qubits fabricated using silicon-based semiconductor processes. Because spin qubits occupy far less physical space than superconducting circuits, they offer possibilities for building larger quantum processors.
Jay Gambetta, IBM’s Director of Research, said the company views spin qubits as an important addition to its long-term strategy rather than a competing technology. Gambetta said IBM is pursuing both approaches because the company believes future quantum systems may ultimately rely on superconducting qubits, spin qubits, or a combination of the two.
Financial terms were not disclosed, and the acquisition is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2026.
Beyond Quantum Technology
The HRL deal expands IBM’s research capabilities beyond quantum computing. HRL has developed expertise in quantum sensing, advanced materials, cryogenic systems, control electronics, qubit packaging, and quantum interconnects. These technologies support extensive quantum infrastructure and could contribute to future advances in any number of research areas.
IBM also expects HRL’s work in quantum materials to strengthen future semiconductor and sensor development. The laboratory has spent decades conducting research for both commercial organizations and US government customers across communications, advanced manufacturing, and materials science.
The acquisition follows an IBM quantum initiative announced in May, when the company introduced Anderon, a standalone quantum wafer foundry being established in New York with support from the US Department of Commerce. The facility is geared to manufacture quantum hardware for multiple quantum computing technologies, providing scalable production capabilities for both IBM and external partners.
IBM indicated that HRL’s silicon spin expertise could eventually be integrated into Anderon’s manufacturing operations, accelerating development of spin-based quantum devices.
IBM’s roadmap remains focused on superconducting systems in the near term. The company plans to introduce its Quantum Starling platform in 2029, targeting approximately 100 million quantum operations while expanding fault-tolerant capabilities. That system is expected to be followed by Blue Jay in the mid-2030s, which IBM projects will perform up to one billion quantum operations. In theory, HRL’s technology will support the company’s longer-term research beyond those milestones.
HRL researchers will transition chip production from the laboratory’s California facility to IBM’s manufacturing operation in New York. The move is part of IBM’s effort to bring manufacturing and system development under a more integrated quantum hardware strategy.
For Boeing and General Motors, the transaction does not end their involvement with HRL’s technologies. IBM said both companies will continue collaborating on quantum computing applications and advanced technology development after the acquisition closes.
