Quantum technologies are likely to raise significant benefits but also challenges to the continued development of smart cities. This paper looks at one of the more operationally ready of the quantum technologies, namely quantum sensing, and considers some of the opportunities and challenges facing city planners if they wish to introduce the capabilities of quantum sensing. The paper briefly outlines the evolution of quantum technologies and where quantum sensing fits in the quantum portfolio. It then considers two quantum sensing capabilities in more detail, namely the use of quantum sensing in navigation and in detection. The paper then describes the attributes of smart cities and discusses the opportunities and challenges of the introduction of these two quantum sensing capabilities, and outlines potential mitigation strategies to optimize the benefits while addressing the challenges.
Quantum technologies are likely to raise significant benefits but also challenges to the continued development of smart cities. This paper looks at one of the more operationally ready of the quantum technologies, namely quantum sensing, and considers some of the opportunities and challenges facing city planners if they wish to introduce the capabilities of quantum sensing. The paper briefly outlines the evolution of quantum technologies and where quantum sensing fits in the quantum portfolio. It then considers two quantum sensing capabilities in more detail, namely the use of quantum sensing in navigation and in detection. The paper then describes the attributes of smart cities and discusses the opportunities and challenges of the introduction of these two quantum sensing capabilities, and outlines potential mitigation strategies to optimize the benefits while addressing the challenges.
Abstract. Quantum sensing technologies provide future cities with unimaginable techniques for solving their complex problems. Quantum sensors, through the utilization of quantum effects such as superposition, entanglement, and tunneling, can provide an unmatched level of sensitivity, precision, and durability against traditional sensing technologies. This study explores the potential applications of quantum sensing in four critical urban infrastructure domains: water, energy, transport, and construction. Throughout this study, we determine the most promising quantum sensing technologies for each domain. Besides, we discuss the technical progress of these sensors and the advantages they have in comparison with classical devices, as well as the organizational issues cities can face when implementing these sensors. Our results indicate that quantum sensing will be a critical enabler of future smart cities, generating advanced monitoring, control, and decision-making capabilities across various sectors. Nevertheless, taking advantage of this potential will demand the close partnership of cities, industry, academia, and policymakers to guide the complicated adoption process.
In the era of digital transformation quantum technologies represent a new challenge for the society, industries, governmental sector. The benefits and consequences of the adoption of quantum technologies have yet to be fully explored. In this context the role these technologies will play in urban context is essential to explore. The present study examines the European Union’s quantum initiatives and its vision of the possible applications of quantum solutions. This study applies these considerations to the European urban context and explores it through the prism of public values created by the smart cities and smart city dimensions. The findings of this research highlight the socio-technical implications and transformative potential of quantum technologies on European smart urban environments and offer strategic insights for urban planners, policymakers, and city managers to prepare for the opportunities presented by quantum technologies.
The current rise of quantum technology is compelled by quantum sensing research. Thousands of research labs are developing and testing a broad range of sensor prototypes. However, there is a lack of knowledge about specific applications and real-world use cases where the benefits of these sensors will be most pronounced. This study presents a comprehensive review of quantum sensing state-of-practice. It also provides a detailed analysis of how quantum sensing overcomes the existing limitations of sensor-driven systems’ precision and performance. Based on the review of over 500 quantum sensor prototype reports, we determined four groups of quantum sensors and discussed their readiness for commercial usage. We concluded that quantum magnetometry and quantum optics are the most advanced sensing technologies with empirically proven results. In turn, quantum timing and kinetics are still in the early stages of practical validation. In addition, we defined four systems domains in which quantum sensors offer a solution for existing limitations of conventional sensing technologies. These domains are 1) GPS-free positioning and navigating services, 2) time-based operations, 3) topological visibility, and 4) environment detection, prediction, and modeling. Finally, we discussed the current constraints of quantum sensing technologies and offered directions for future research.
The vital role of civil engineering is to enable the development of modern cities and establish foundations for smart and sustainable urban environments of the future. Advanced sensing technologies are among the instrumental methods used to enhance the performance of civil engineering infrastructures and address the multifaceted challenges of future cities. Through this study, we discussed the shortcomings of traditional sensors in four primary civil engineering domains: construction, energy, water, and transportation. Then, we investigated and summarized the potential of quantum sensors to contribute to and revolutionize the management of civil engineering infrastructures. For the water sector, advancements are expected in monitoring water quality and pressure in water and sewage infrastructures. In the energy sector, quantum sensors may facilitate renewables integration and improve grid stability and buildings’ energy efficiency. The most promising progress in the construction field is the ability to identify subsurface density and underground structures. In transportation, these sensors create many fresh avenues for real-time traffic management and smart mobility solutions. As one of the first-in-the-field studies offering the adoption of quantum sensors across four primary domains of civil engineering, this research establishes the basis for the discourse about the scope and timeline for deploying quantum sensors to real-world applications towards the quantum transformation of civil engineering.
The increasing complexity of urban environments necessitates computational advancements beyond the capabilities of classical systems. Traditional computing frameworks, grounded in a Newtonian worldview, face significant limitations in addressing critical urban challenges such as traffic optimization, energy distribution, and governance. Emerging technological paradigms seek to overcome these constraints by integrating quantum computing, quantum theory, and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance urban intelligence and efficiency. One such paradigm is “Quantum AI Urbanism,” an interdisciplinary approach that leverages quantum principles such as superposition and entanglement to enable faster data processing, enhanced machine learning capabilities, and quantum-secure cryptography. By unlocking new computational potentials, this approach offers transformative possibilities for reimagining city infrastructure, governance, and citizen engagement. This article introduces the layered framework of quantum AI urbanism, outlining its core components, applications, and implications for city management. It highlights the transformative potential of quantum AI in reshaping urban infrastructure, governance, and citizen engagement while acknowledging the barriers that must be addressed for large-scale implementation. By establishing a foundational understanding of quantum AI urbanism, this study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the future of smart cities and provides insights into the pathways for integrating quantum computing and AI into urban systems.
Abstract On its revolutionary threshold, quantum sensing is creating potentially transformative opportunities to exploit intricate quantum mechanical phenomena in new ways to make ultrasensitive measurements of multiple parameters. Concurrently, growing interest in quantum sensing has created opportunities for its deployment to improve processes pertaining to energy production, distribution, and consumption. Safe and secure utilization of energy is dependent upon addressing challenges related to material stability and function, secure monitoring of infrastructure, and accuracy in detection and measurement. A summary of well‐established and emerging quantum sensing materials and techniques, as well as the corresponding sensing platforms that have been developed for their deployment is provided here. Specifically, the enhancement of existing advanced sensing technologies with quantum methods and materials is focused on, enabling the realization of an unprecedented level of sensitivity, placing an emphasis on relevance to the energy industry. The review concludes with a discussion on high‐value applications of quantum sensing to the energy sector, as well as remaining barriers to sensor deployment.