Bosch has announced the creation of Bosch Quantum Sensing, a joint venture established in collaboration with Element Six, a leading provider of synthetic diamond solutions.
This new company, based on Bosch’s in-house startup founded in 2022 and headquartered in Ludwigsburg, Germany, will significantly expand the existing partnership initiated in 2023 between the two companies. Bosch will retain operational leadership, with Element Six holding a 25% stake. The formation of the joint venture is subject to official regulatory approvals.
Quantum sensors harness the unique properties of quantum mechanics to achieve unprecedented sensitivity and precision. Bosch Quantum Sensing identifies numerous potential applications, including natural resource exploration, aircraft navigation, and advanced medical technologies. By the mid-2030s, Bosch projects the global market potential for quantum sensors in medical and mobility sectors to reach billions of euros annually.
“Quantum sensors are a future technology with huge potential. They will bring about fundamental changes in many sectors of our economy and improve people’s lives,” stated Stefan Hartung, chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH. “In setting up this new company, we are underscoring this technology’s strategic significance for Bosch. As innovation leader of commercial quantum sensors, we will work with Element Six to further extend our technological lead.”
Specially engineered synthetic diamonds provided by Element Six are critical components of these quantum sensors, enabling them to detect extremely minute magnetic fields. This capability allows Bosch’s quantum sensors to meet rigorous market demands and drive genuine innovation.
“We want to work with Element Six to make quantum sensors economical and allow them to be produced on an industrial scale. In this way, we will create the basis for innovative applications that set new standards for precision and efficiency,” said Katrin Kobe, CEO of Bosch Quantum Sensing.
Siobhán Duffy, CEO of Element Six, added, “Through the new joint venture between Bosch and Element Six, which aligns with Element Six’s contribution towards De Beers Group’s Origins strategy, we will integrate our synthetic diamond technology with Bosch Quantum Sensing’s capabilities, unlocking new possibilities in critical sectors such as healthcare and navigation. Together, we will harness the respective decades of excellence and innovation to push the limits of what’s possible, heralding a new era of synthetic diamond-enabled technologies.”
Currently, Bosch’s latest quantum sensor prototype is exceptionally compact, matching the size of a modern smartphone. In mobility, this technology could offer robust navigation solutions complementary to conventional GPS systems. Further, it holds significant potential in natural resource exploration and medical technology applications, such as cardiac activity monitoring. Bosch Quantum Sensing ultimately aims to miniaturize quantum sensors sufficiently to enable their integration directly onto semiconductor chips, significantly enhancing portability, cost-effectiveness, and scalability.
About Bosch
The Bosch Group is a global leader in technology and services, employing roughly 417,900 associates worldwide. With preliminary sales of 90.5 billion euros in 2024, Bosch operates across four business sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. Driven by trends such as automation, electrification, digitalization, connectivity, and sustainability, Bosch leverages its expertise in sensor technology, software, and AI to develop user-friendly, sustainable products and solutions. The Bosch Group comprises approximately 470 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries, employing nearly 86,900 associates in research and development, including almost 48,000 software engineers. For more information, please click here.
About Element Six
Element Six, part of the De Beers Group, is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of synthetic diamond and tungsten carbide solutions. With extensive expertise in engineering and manufacturing synthetic diamonds, Element Six serves industries including automotive, aerospace, energy, and semiconductor. The company’s advanced materials enhance productivity, efficiency, and performance in a broad range of critical applications. For more information, please click here.
Sources: Bosch and Element Six
