IQM ran rail scheduling workflow on its own hardware

IQM Quantum Computers and Deutsche Bahn tested a hybrid quantum-classical algorithm on rail scheduling data covering 190 trips across five German cities. Using a real operational dataset from the German rail operator, the system produced feasible schedules on IQM hardware.

The results were published on 19 July 2026 in a whitepaper released by IQM Quantum Computers, which trades as IQMX on Nasdaq. Deutsche Bahn is Europe’s largest rail operator, and the study focused on a real scheduling problem.

Across those 190 trips, the dataset translated into roughly 98,500 possible cycles. That scale made the task a large optimisation problem for an enterprise transport network.

Researchers used the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm, or QAOA, in stages. In that setup, the quantum component solved smaller subproblems while a classical framework managed the full problem at scale.

The full pipeline ran end to end on an IQM quantum computer. It covered problem formulation, execution and a usable scheduling result for Deutsche Bahn.

QAOA on IQM hardware

Three findings stood out in the whitepaper. First, the approach worked on 19 July 2026 hardware and did not depend on fault-tolerant quantum systems that do not yet exist.

As a result, enterprises can use this model now rather than waiting for future machines. IQM described that as a way to extract value before fault-tolerant computing arrives.

Second, testing showed a statistically significant link between subproblem size and solution quality. Since larger quantum processors can handle bigger subproblems, the same framework should improve as hardware scales without a redesign.

Third, the architecture is designed to generalise beyond railways. IQM said the same method can apply to optimisation work in logistics, energy, manufacturing and other sectors.

Dr. Inés de Vega, chief scientist at IQM Quantum Computers, said the collaboration showed quantum computing can already tackle large real-world optimisation problems that enterprises face every day.

Following the Deutsche Bahn project, IQM highlighted the work as part of its push into enterprise adoption. The company has sold 24 quantum computers worldwide.

In July 2026, IQM listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and Nasdaq Helsinki under the ticker IQMX.