Move Over Quantum Computing: Slime Mould is Here

Are you a quantum computing enthusiast? Well, it's time to shift your focus. While the future of quantum computing may bring exciting possibilities, it's not the only technology that could change the game. Enter biocomputing, and more specifically, slime mould. Yes, you read that right - the bright yellow, single-celled organism found in forests around the world could be the answer to complex route planning tasks that even quantum computing can't solve. Unlike quantum computing, which requires billions of dollars to develop, slime mould is affordable and easy to culture. This biomaterial adapts its growth based on surrounding conditions, and researchers have found success in allowing the mould to solve mazes and determine the shortest path between nodes in a network. The organism's achievements in the lab are impressive, with researchers reproducing the route of Germany's longest autobahn, giant road networks across the US, and motorways in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and the UK. While quantum computing may still have a place in solving complex problems, it's worth considering alternative technologies that are affordable, easy to use, and don't require billions of dollars to develop. As Andrew Adamatzky, director of the Unconventional Computing Laboratory at the Department of Computer Science at UWE puts it, 'give the slime mould a problem and it will solve it.' So, the next time you're faced with a complex route planning task, consider turning to slime mould for an affordable and resource-efficient solution.