Quantum Technology: Interview with Dr. Andreas Böhm
Dr. Andreas Böhm worked as a physicist in solid-state and molecular biophysics, then developed complex electronics at one of the world's largest automotive suppliers and was involved in the Bavarian automotive cluster at Bayern Innovativ for many years. He is currently working as an intrapreneur at Bayern Innovativ to establish the technology field of quantum technology. We have talked to him about what he focuses on.
We need to create awareness in industry and business of the tremendous importance of quantum technologies.
Dr. Andreas Böhm Projektmanager Technologie | Leiter Quantentechnologie, Bayern Innovativ GmbH, Nürnberg
Dr. Böhm, what are the special challenges of quantum technology in Bavaria?
Dr. Andreas Böhm: Research institutions such as the Max Planck Society, the Fraunhofer Society, the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the Technical University of Munich, the Ludwig Maximilian University or the universities in Würzburg and Regensburg already have an enormous amount of knowledge on the subject of quantum technology , which need not fear international comparison. The task now is to translate the know-how into practical applications and convince a wide variety of industries of how they can benefit directly from it.
What steps are necessary to achieve this?
Dr. Andreas Böhm: First of all, we need to create awareness in industry and business for the enormous importance of quantum technologies. Companies must recognize the potential and added value of quantum technologies for their own business model. We have seen with digitization that many companies put off important innovations and transformation steps until an emergency situation like the Corona pandemic forces them to act to ensure their economic survival. We should avoid this mistake with quantum technology and create awareness in time. After all, other countries are at a similar level of research as we are in Bavaria, but are already approaching the topic in a much more application-oriented way.
Does our companies lack the spirit of innovation?
Dr. Andreas Böhm: No, that is certainly not the reason. Quantum technology is a complex field, whose many possible applications are not immediately apparent from basic research. Nevertheless, many companies that perhaps do not yet see any points of contact with quantum technology will be confronted with it in the foreseeable future. In the more distant future, aspects such as IT security and encryption will be added. Quantum technologies, much like digitization, will usher in a new technology era in which the winners will be those who have addressed the opportunities early on and invested in appropriate innovations.
What role does Bayern Innovativ play in implementing the Hightech Agenda Plus?
Dr. Andreas Böhm: Since its founding in 1995, Bayern Innovativ as a "Society for Innovation and Knowledge Transfer" has been an important component of Bavarian innovation policy. We have a comprehensive network that brings together all areas of the Bavarian research landscape, high-tech industries, medium-sized and large companies, science and politics. For this reason, Bayern Innovativ was commissioned by the Bavarian state government to develop the roadmap for quantum technology in the Free State. This roadmap is to be available in spring 2021. It identifies medium- to long-term fields of action to place Bavaria in a stable position in this topic. Our goal is to further develop and open up quantum technologies for concrete industrial applications. We see our primary task as driving forward the solidarity between research and industry and aligning needs, know-how, problems and solutions between all participants. In this constellation, it is also important to establish an efficient quantum technology network in which requirements from industry are brought together with solutions from research.
Which institutes or companies can turn to Bayern Innovativ regarding quantum technologies?
Dr. Andreas Böhm: In principle, we consider all future technologies primarily from the perspective of industry. We have companies of all sizes and orientations in mind. We see ourselves as a point of contact for all companies that are willing to innovate and want to find out what opportunities the field of quantum technology could open up for them. Here, in addition to our navigation services between users and providers, we can also measure your company's innovative strength and support every stage of your journey from idea to product.