IBM announced on August 26, 2026, that it has completed its acquisition of HRL Laboratories, a research institution previously jointly owned by Boeing and General Motors, adding capabilities in silicon-spin qubits, quantum sensing, cryogenics, and advanced packaging to IBM’s quantum computing program, according to IBM’s own newsroom announcement and corroborating coverage from The Quantum Insider and Quantum Computing Report.
HRL’s expertise in silicon-spin qubit fabrication is intended to complement IBM’s existing leadership in superconducting quantum computing, giving the company a second qubit modality to draw on as it pursues a multi-modality hardware roadmap. HRL’s silicon fabrication processes are expected to be integrated into Anderon, IBM’s dedicated quantum wafer foundry established earlier this year.
Boeing and GM Retain a Role in Quantum Applications
Boeing and General Motors, HRL’s former joint owners, will continue to partner with IBM and HRL on quantum applications and advanced technology development following the deal’s close, according to IBM’s announcement. The acquisition adds to a broader wave of consolidation and infrastructure investment in quantum computing this year, as government agencies and large technology firms compete to move quantum systems from research labs toward practical, fault-tolerant deployment.
Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. IBM said HRL’s quantum-sensing and materials-science capabilities, beyond qubit fabrication, are also expected to strengthen its broader hardware development pipeline.
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