Europe readies next stage in embedded software research

(11/02/05, 09:44:00 AM EST)

LONDON — The EUREKA High Level Group has confirmed its approval for the ITEA 2 strategic initiative in software-intensive systems and services. The core challenge of ITEA 2 is seen as having to match the dramatic shift to embedded software-intensive systems.

ITEA 2 will hope to continue the successful principal vision of ITEA, updated to a global context, 'for Europe to maintain leadership in this new era of embedded Software-intensive systems (SIS) and services building on key European strength and industries'.

ITEA is a trans-national European co-operative R&D programme in software-intensive systems. It was launched in 1999 for an anticipated period of eight years, which has been extended until December 31, 2008. It was the first major initiative of European industry and public authorities to recognise the emerging importance embedded and distributed systems.

By the end of the current programme, 9,500 person-years of R&D will have been invested with some 85 projects having involved more than 450 partners from large and small companies, research centres and academia in 23 countries. ITEA says that 42 projects have already been completed, leading to the creation of new products and new companies.

Its aim is to stimulate and coordinate industry-driven, pre-competitive R&D by bringing together partners from industry, universities and research institutes in strategic projects. Its provides the link between funding, technology and software engineering skills.

The ITEA 2 cluster intends make use of 20,000 person-years over its eight-year duration, requiring an increase in investment to more than 3 billion. The first Call for Projects is set for 2006, to ensure a smooth transition from ITEA.

ITEA believes that it will enable a rapid response to the exponential growth in electronics will lead to hundreds of thousands of new high-quality jobs in key European industries such as automotive and aeronautics. The future of healthcare and medical systems is also increasingly seen in the software that can speed diagnosis and treatment.

The founding partners of ITEA 2 are Airbus, Alcatel, Barco, Bosch, Bull, DaimlerChrysler, the European Federation of High Tech SMEs, Italtel, Nokia, Philips, Siemens, Telvent, Thales and Thomson. Their total turnover is around 380 billion with over 1.5 million employees, of which more than 200,000 are in R&D, mainly carried out in Europe.

This article is published at: http://www.embedded.com/