ITEA 2 and ARTEMIS confront technological challenges together
Rotterdam 2008, Madrid 2009, Gent 2010: theoretically competitors, the European public-private research programmes ITEA2 and Artemis - the first being pan-European, the other corresponding to the European Community - continually organise joint summits to show their good relations. On the outskirts of the Spanish capital, some 600 people gathered, on 29-30 October, to discuss technologies that may revolutionise everyday life.
To talk to the panelists, it is best to have at least a few notions of electronics. The managers, on the other hand, willingly talk about “the big European challenges,” such as economic revival, the fight against climate change, an ageing population or the internet of the future. These are all areas where the extremely sophisticated mini-technologies of software and ‘embedded systems’ can play a role. Embedded systems have a very specific purpose within a machine, such as a car for example: making it a ‘smart’ machine, almost a prerequisite these days.
Sixty projects were presented, including 12 by Artemis, as a result of the first call for proposals that brought together 220 partners.
Among the ITEA2 projects were AmIE, a technology to help older people; EPAS, a compatibility system for card payments in Europe; and SmartTouch, a link between a smart tag and a mobile telephone to transmit content. These projects run for several years. But ITEA2 also displayed new guidelines for 2010-2012. “My goal is threefold,” its Chairman, Rudolf Haggenmuller, explained to Europolitics. “Strengthen projects according to the needs of society, have a clear impact on the market and target quick commercialisation.”
Competing for the same money (national and EU) and the same companies, ITEA2 and Artemis say they are forming an “ecosystem”. ITEA2 is more to do with the interconnection of components than the components themselves, betting on a rise in the power of the ‘internet of things’. Haggenmuller also launched an appeal to the Commission: there needs to be less talk about the ‘internet of things’ and more action on concrete projects.
As for Artemis, it is focused on launched technologies. While this joint technological platform, initiated by Commissioner Viviane Reding (information society) in 2007, may suffer from administrative burdens, it is taking out insurance and is starting “to lead a truly independent life,” said its President, Klaus Grimm. For 2009, Artemis received 44 projects, of which 24 were very good. By the end of the year, 12 to 14 will be financed, the actual number depending on the goodwill of public authorities. Several current projects, such as Scalopes and eDiana, aim to help citizens and companies to reduce their energy use.
Europe is therefore always looking to smart technology in its research. ITEA2 is also building bridges with Egypt which, according to its president, will open its doors to developing countries. Russia has also been approached, with some difficulty.