Fugaku becomes the fastest computer in the world offering possible COVID solution
Another possible solution that technology wants to offer when it comes to COVID19, and it comes straight from Japan. Fugaku – a supercomputer developed by research institute Riken currently has the fastest computing speed in the world.
There are four categories where a supercomputer can take the top place and Fugaku (named after Mount Fuji), made all the top spots:
- Computing speed
- Computational methods for industrial use
- Artificial intelligence applications
- Big data analytics
Who is Fujitsu?
Fujitsu is currently leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions, and services. It is said on their website that approximately 13000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. They aim to use their experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society. Fujitsu Limited reported revenues of 3.9 trillion yen (the U.S. $35 billion) by the end of March 31, 2020.
Why is Fugaku so important?
Fugaku is very likely to be a firm ground for immensely powerful simulations relating to scientific research. Therefore, it can be super useful for identifying potential treatment for coronavirus (it has already spotted the pattern of how breath droplets spread). This is also the first time in nine years that Japan topped all four places on the list. Its computing speed reaches more than 415 quadrillion computations per second. Fugaku features 150,000 high-performance central processing units designed and developed by Fujitsu, working together to optimize its performance. It is currently used to identify potential coronavirus treatments choosing amongst 2,000 types of existing drugs.
Competition with the U.S.
Being 2,8 times faster than the United States’ Summit System, Tokyo has beaten Washington and Beijing in the next generation of supercomputers. Still, it lacks the necessary resources to keep up with the competition, especially with quantum computing being near. For Japan, it would be best to focus on the best ways of using it.
This is only the newest chapter in an international race to achieve unprecedented speed in their battle for tech supremacy, and are expected to build systems that can reach speeds in exaflops territory — or thousands of petaflops — within only a year or two.
Military purposes
Supercomputers, which are more than 1,000 times faster than a regular computer, can be used to simulate nuclear explosions, perform virtual weapons testing, and model climate systems. Military uses are also virtually limitless; Fugaku can predict the impact of an earthquake, tsunami, or something worse, and map out all the escape routes. This will undoubtedly prove useful soon, but there is always a chance it could backfire and cause an international dispute (we hope that doesn’t happen).
Possible prevention of COVID entering 2021?
If everything goes as planned, it is possible that Fugaku can even develop a solution for coronavirus, while trying to recognize the cure. It has already analyzed how heritage, age, and other factors can be the COVID trigger. With its incredible speed, we can hope that technology is another resource our society has provided that can be used for the greater good.
The Fugaku supercomputer is a system developed by Japanese research institute RIKEN and Fujitsu Ltd in Kobe, Japan. As we previously mentioned, the highest spot on the TOP500 list, a twice-yearly listing of the world’s most powerful computers, was reported on Monday. The chip technology comes from Arm, which is stationed in the United Kingdom but owned by Japan’s Softbank Group Corp. You can check out Fujitsu stocks here.
Technology affecting the stock market
It is only wise for traders, or beginners to keep watch on how things are developing worldwide since it’s significantly affecting the stocks and their value. In 2020, it has become the world’s number one asset, so let’s keep an eye on it and see what comes next.
