CUbIQ Technologies emerged in 2021 with a clear mission: to enhance existing communication systems. ‘We set out to combine TU/e’s extensive resources with CUbIQ’s specialized knowledge in photonic integration and signal processing,’ explains Albores-Mejia. ‘Quantum technology presented itself as an ideal showcase for our innovative approach to encoding information in light.’

CUbIQ is at the forefront of advancing Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) – a cutting-edge method that harnesses quantum mechanics principles to ensure information security. ‘Current QKD systems are cumbersome and cost-prohibitive,’ Albores-Mejia points out. ‘Our goal is to democratize quantum communication by drastically reducing both cost and energy consumption by a factor of 100, while simultaneously boosting performance a hundredfold. This will significantly lower the barriers to entry in this critical field.’

CUbIQ’s system stands out for its seamless compatibility with current communication infrastructure. ‘Our breakthrough lies in adapting quantum key distribution to existing optical networks,’ Albores-Mejia explains. The key to this compatibility is the system’s versatility in encoding information. ‘We leverage multiple properties of light simultaneously,’ Albores-Mejia continues. ‘Our quantum keys are encoded across various dimensions, being intensity, polarization, phase, and wavelength. This multi-level modulation approach not only ensures compatibility but also maximizes our key transmission capacity.’

The company’s ambition extends to serving tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, safeguarding their network links. ‘These industry leaders require solutions that integrate seamlessly with their existing setups,’ Albores-Mejia notes. ‘That's why we’re crafting a plug-and-play solution compatible with current fiber optics and routers.’

Looking ahead, CUbIQ envisions a compact system, potentially as small as a USB stick, that could be easily inserted into a router port. This device would secure all communications within a network, bringing quantum-level security to everyday users.

Over the past three years, CUbIQ Technologies has successfully miniaturized their equipment to the size of a pizza box. ‘We’re now at a crucial stage,’ Albores-Mejia reveals. ‘We're preparing to install this compact system with one of our customers to thoroughly test and validate all interface aspects.’

The CEO emphasizes that the most challenging part lies ahead. ‘Software interfacing is our next hurdle. We need to ensure our solution is universally compatible with various equipment types and operating systems. This agnostic approach is key to widespread adoption.’

Looking to the future, Albores-Mejia outlines their strategic vision: ‘Once we've demonstrated the value of this system and achieved further miniaturization, our goal is to scale up and set industry standards. Ultimately, we want to provide society with a robust technology that secures communication in an accessible and sustainable way.’