Quantum Pilot Project with Hermes Germany

Hermes Germany is leveraging quantum computing to enhance its delivery operations through a new partnership with QuantumBasel. Aiming at optimizing routes, increasing delivery efficiency, and reducing CO2 emissions across its network, this initiative aligns with Hermes' commitment to improving service quality and operational efficiency. The collaboration will explore how quantum solutions can improve upon existing software, addressing operational challenges and driving innovation in logistics.

Hermes Germany is committed to achieving three objectives to optimize its daily operations:

1. Provide a comprehensive service to all the parcel shops in its network,
2. Reduce operating costs by minimizing time, distance and number of rounds.
3. Maximize the efficiency of pick-ups.

Hermes has organized a network of 17,000 parcel shops linked to 50 depots throughout Germany. Each route starts at a depot and includes the parcel shops and 1,000 to 3,500 "DigitalSales" stops, resulting in an average of 15 to 20 stops per route.

Advanced software is currently mapping each route and assigning parcel shops and stops so that drivers can easily follow optimized routes. These measures are expected to significantly improve operational efficiency and service quality.

Enhancing Delivery Efficiency: Hermes Explores Quantum Computing Solutions

The current software solution differentiates between weekdays and takes into account constraints such as vehicle load limits, driver shift and break schedules, and fixed parcel shop hours. Looking to the future and the new technologies that will make our lives easier and better, Hermes has decided to go one step further.

Supported by QuantumBasel, the Swiss Quantum & AI Hub, Hermes will explore the possibilities of quantum computing. QuantumBasel will help Hermes better understand the technical and strategic opportunities that quantum computing offers for this use case and beyond.

Over the coming months, QuantumBasel will provide Hermes with access to the technology environment of D-Wave's annealing quantum computers and quantum hybrid solvers. Under the guidance of QuantumBasel scientists and their expertise, as well as D-Wave's professional services team, the project aims to compare the standard software with a quantum computing solution to determine if a quantum solution is even better at optimizing routes in terms of time and distance while, most importantly, reducing CO2 emissions.

About Hermes Germany

Hermes Germany GmbH, based in Hamburg, is a leading logistics service provider in Germany and a partner to numerous online stores and multi-channel retailers in Germany and abroad. Hermes Germany focuses on national parcel delivery - in addition, the logistics expert also offers attractive services in international parcel shipping. Hermes Germany employs over 6,000 people and handles parcel deliveries throughout Germany via 11 state-of-the-art logistics centers and around 270 own and partner locations, in addition to around 17,000 ParcelShops nationwide.
Hermes Germany is a subsidiary of Hermes Europe GmbH, which is part of the Otto Group. With other subsidiaries and holdings such as Hermes Fulfilment GmbH, Hermes Logistik GmbH in Austria and Evri (formerly Hermes UK), Hermes Europe offers services that are in global demand - from transportation, including imports and exports, to fulfilment and parcel services. In addition, Hermes Europe cooperates with the two Otto Group subsidiaries Hermes Einrichtungs Service in Germany and Agediss in France in the field of two-man handling. www.hermesworld.com

About uptownBasel and QuantumBasel

uptownBasel is an international center of excellence for Industry 4.0 – networked with the world, anchored in Europe and rooted in Basel. On the historic Schorenareal site in Arlesheim near Basel, a development and production site of around 70,000 square meters is being constructed for technology companies and other organizations. The focus is on industrial production, healthcare and logistics as well as the cross-sectional function of digitalization. In total, 50 to 100 companies with up to 2,500 jobs are planned to settle here, the investment volume amounts to over CHF 500 million. uptownBasel is made possible by the private ownership of the family of Monique and Thomas Staehelin and realized by Fankhauser Arealentwicklungen. www.uptownbasel.ch

QuantumBasel, a wholly owned subsidiary of the uptownBasel Group, operates "QuantumBasel", its center of excellence for quantum and artificial intelligence and the first commercial quantum hub in Switzerland. QuantumBasel provides seamless access to quantum and high-performance computing, quantum computing and AI expertise, and helps apply quantum computing to real-world use cases. Working with renowned technology partners such as IBM, D-Wave and IonQ, QuantumBasel is also expanding its global network of research institutes, universities and startups to realize its vision of democratizing the power of quantum computing. www.quantumbasel.com

About D-Wave Quantum Inc.

D-Wave is a pioneer in quantum computing systems, software, and services, being the first commercial supplier of quantum computers. D-Wave builds both annealing and gate-model quantum computers to solve practical problems in logistics, AI, materials science, drug discovery, and more. D-Wave’s technology is used by leading organizations like olkswagen, Mastercard, Deloide, Davidson Technologies, ArcelorMidal, Siemens Healthineers, Unisys, NEC Corporation, Panson Food Group Ltd., DENSO, Lockheed Martin, Forschungszentrum Jülich, University of Southern California, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. www.dwavesys.com

QuantumBasel
Sophie Peggs
sophie.peggs@quantumbasel.com