Volkswagen partners Google to bring quantum computing to cars

German automaker Volkswagen and tech giant Google have teamed up to explore ways to use quantum computing in the auto industry. Quantum computing, a technology that's still in its early phases, uses the quirks of quantum physics to perform calculations at far higher speeds than current computers.

Volkswagen said that specialists from the two companies will work together using Google quantum computers, jointly developing algorithms and simulations. The automaker said it wants to use quantum computers for traffic flow optimization, exploring structures for new materials such as batteries for electric cars, and to develop artificial intelligence that could be used for self-driving vehicles.

Volkswagen and Google will also draw on quantum computing power to expedite research in artificial intelligence and machine learning, both of which are seen as key to developing connected and fully autonomous vehicles.

Meanwhile, Google parent Alphabet-owned Waymo will launch a ride-hailing service with no human behind the steering wheel and has been testing the fully self-driving cars on public roads in Arizona, Chief Executive John Krafcik said.

As of now, this partnership seems small, but in the future, the automaker plans to focus more on the broader transportation and moving around cities, instead of just focusing on cars and vehicles themselves.