10098950Asteroidea- a flexible photonic quantum computing testbed for machine learningClosedSmall Business Research InitiativeInnovate UKIn this project ORCA Computing will deliver a first-of-its-kind operational photonic quantum computing testbed featuring multiple highly innovative, novel technologies in a single infrastructure platform to the UK before the rest of the world. The single infrastructure approach will enable more rapid technology characterisation, thus accelerating discovery and progress by quantum application developers to unlock the ultimate value of quantum computing for public service and industry. In doing so, it will both coordinate and bolster the UK supply chain for photonic components as well as accelerate the growth of user adoption of quantum computing for both developer and industry users. It will unlock innovation and readiness by computing service providers, developers, and end-users with the ability to characterise and benchmark a full stack of quantum hardware and software technologies. Through the system software and developer interface, it will allow full exploration of photonic systems and their application in areas including hybrid quantum/classical machine learning towards useful quantum capabilities.