IBM has introduced Condor 3, a new quantum processor the company says contains 2,000 qubits and delivers a major step toward more reliable quantum systems. The announcement highlights IBM’s push to move quantum computing beyond experimental hardware and toward practical, scalable machines.

According to the company, Condor 3 uses a new surface-code error-correction approach that cut logical error rates to below 0.1 percent in tests. Error correction remains one of the biggest obstacles in quantum computing, since fragile qubits can lose information quickly and produce unreliable results.

IBM framed the chip as its clearest demonstration yet of a path to fault-tolerant quantum computing, a milestone researchers have pursued for years. While the technology is still far from widespread commercial use, lower error rates are widely seen as essential for building useful quantum applications.

The processor adds to a competitive race among major technology companies and labs working to scale up quantum hardware. For now, IBM’s latest announcement signals progress, but experts will still look for independent validation and real-world performance before calling quantum computing ready for mainstream deployment.