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 Philips is a global leader in healthcare, lifestyle and technology, delivering products, services and solutions through the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 121,700 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 27.0 billion in 2006, the company is a market leader in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems, energy efficient lighting solutions, personal care and home appliances, as well as consumer electronics. Philips believes that, in the year 2020, people will relate to electronics in more natural and comfortable ways than we do now. We believe that current inventions, by Philips and others, will make electronics 'smart'. Technological breakthroughs will also allow us to integrate 'smart electronics' into more friendly environments. This is our vision of 'Ambient Intelligence': people living easily in digital environments in which the electronics are sensitive to people's needs, personalized to their requirements, anticipatory of their behaviour and responsive to their presence. 80,000 registered patents illustrate the innovative nature of the company. In a world in which technology increasingly touches every aspect of daily life, we want to bring 'sense & simplicity' to consumers with advanced, easy to use products that are designed specifically to meet their needs, wherever in the world they may be.
Philips Research Europe has its main laboratory on the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven (Netherlands) and has other Laboratories in Hamburg and Aachen (Germany) and Cambridge (UK). Philips Research Europe carries out research for Healthcare, Lifestyle and Technology. It cooperates with business partners, universities and other knowledge institutions in Europe in an Open Innovation setting. The Balanced Lifestyle sector is part of the Lifestyle Research program. This program aims to bring sensible and simple solutions to people to enjoy a balanced life: time spent at home (or away from work) should be enjoyable and uncomplicated. That is why we continue to develop products designed to help make people’s lives simpler and more relaxing, whether they are watching TV, adjusting the lighting in their bedroom, cleaning their teeth, listening to music or simply making coffee in the morning. The program identifies and develops opportunities for the creation of new business and/or extension and growth of Philips existing business. The Connected Consumer Solutions Group located on the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven will participate in the project on the behalf of Philips Research. The group aims to empower consumers to easily enjoy new Philips appliances and to connect to communities and services. We explore topics such as user-interfaces and web-services for internet television, human-robotic interaction, atmosphere conveyance and context aware networked application. The group is organized into three clusters: Community based Computing, Connected Interfaces & Interaction, and Smart Networked Environments.
SAP AG and its SAP Research Business Unit
SAP has grown to become the world’s leading provider of e-business software solutions. With 12 million users, 96,400 installations, and more than 1,500 partners, SAP is the world’s largest interenterprise software company and the world’s third-largest independent software supplier, overall. SAP solutions help enterprises of all sizes around the world to improve customer relationships, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across their supply chains and business operations. SAP employs around 50.000 people in more than 50 countries. SAP Research is the technology research department of SAP and as an integral part of SAP’s R&D activities, SAP Research is responsible for identifying, researching, understanding, developing and evaluating new and emerging technologies, processes and e-business solutions that strategically influence the future of SAP business applications. SAP Research is a Global Business Unit under the direction of SAP AG operating research centres in various countries. These centres are usually co-located with academic partners and focused on specific research topics. Depending on the particular needs of the projects, SAP Research will consider to distribute work packages among its locations in order to engage Researchers with the required expertise. This will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the execution of the project. SAP industry solutions support the unique business processes of more than 25 industry segments, including high tech, retail, public sector and financial services. With the focus on applied research, SAP Research bridges the gap between open, collaborative research with external partners and exploitation into new or existing SAP product lines through SAP´s development groups.
 Since its foundation in 1877, the Technische Universität Darmstadt has been an internationally oriented university with a strong technical focus. TUD has been ranked repeatedly among the top three technical universities in Germany. The status as an autonomous institution gives TUD the freedom to enhance creative processes of change and renewal. The Telecooperation (TK) Division (head: Prof. Max Mühlhäuser) targets cooperation among humans and machines, based on information & communication technology. Ubiquitous Computing denotes the next era of Telecooperation, where humans are surrounded by zillions of networked computers that support all aspects of our daily life. Research@TK emphasizes cooperation of different kinds of parties: (1) humans, most of them not using a desktop PC (2) smart services, i.e., distributed context-aware software components (3) smart items of all kinds, i.e., wearable computers, appliances, spaces, etc. and (4) smart content – knowledge media based on multimedia documents & streams. Telecooperation has over 30 permanent staff, conducting research in Ubiquitous Computing with an emphasis on three aspects:
- Ubiquitous Interaction (Model Driven Interaction Development; Multimodal, Proactive, and Context-Aware Interaction;Paper-Centric, Voice Centric, Multitouch, and Tangible Interaction Strategies)
- Ubquitous Integration (Smart Environments; Publish-Subscribe and Peer-to-Peer Overlay Networks; Ubiquitous Knowledge Work and E-Learning)
- Ubiquitous Protection (Security and Privacy for Ubiquitous Computing; Global Trust and Reputation; Public Security / Incident Response).
 The EADS Innovation Works are the corporate research centres of EADS, with sites in Germany, France, Spain, Singapore and Russia and provide world-class capabilities in aeronautics, defence and space research topics. Consistent with the EADS research & technology strategy and covering the skills and technology fields that are of critical importance to the EADS group of companies, the EADS Innovation Works are organized in seven trans-national Technical Capability Centres: “Composites Technologies”, “Metallic Technologies & Surface Engineering”, “Structure Engineering, Production & Aeromechanics”, “Sensors, Electronics & Systems Integration”, “Engineering, Physics, IT, Security Services & Simulation”, “Energy & Propulsion”, “Innovative Concepts and Scenarios”. The EADS Innovation Works are an operational and strategic entity for the creation of added value by technology innovation. They foster technological excellence and business orientation through the sharing of competences and means between the various partners of EADS and they develop and maintain partnerships with world-famous schools, universities and research centres.
The Technical Capability Centre “Structure Engineering, Production & Aeromechanics ” of EADS Innovation Works has the mission to make the best technologies, methods & tools available for all EADS Business Units in its domain. He is the reference centre for expertise in the EADS group. It ensures the international relationship with universities and academic laboratories and with all major Research partners, including suppliers. The field of expertise covers:
- Structures Engineering: mechanical modelling and advanced testing of composites and metallic materials under severe environment & dynamic loads, Virtual structural testing methods & software, Acoustics, vibrations analysis & treatments
- Innovative Production processes: automated assembly & systems installations, digital manufacturing, mediated workers, structural Health Engineering (NDI & SHM).
- Mechatronics: active flow control systems, advanced actuators technologies, control algorithms & systems , morphing technologies Activities range from basic and upstream research to development of prototypes, software & systems.
 The University of Sheffield (USFD) has been described by The Times as one of the powerhouses of British higher education. The University is a member of the Russell Group, the twenty institutions who receive two-thirds of universities' research grant and contract funding in the United Kingdom. It is a major contributor to research, being the sixth most highly rated research university in the UK. USFD is participating with the Web Intelligence Technology Lab (WIT) in the Department of Computer Science. WIT has 18 members and it is part of the Natural Language Processing Group, one of the largest language technology groups in Europe with approximately 60 researchers, including four full professors, one reader, one senior lecturer and one lecturer. Since 2001, the NLP group has secured external funding for over 30 research and application contracts totalling more than £10M from British Research Councils (EPSRC, MRC, BBSRC, AHRB), the European Commission, and a variety of industrial and government sources. The group have an outstanding record in transferring technology to and consulting for companies, having produced software and methodologies that are being used in many research laboratories and companies in the UK, EU and US. The group is currently coordinating two European Integrated Projects (X-Media and Companions) and a STREP (TAO) WIT specialises in research and application of Semantic and Web technologies for Knowledge Management. It has a current budget topping €4.5M and 6 open projects, including industrial projects funded by Rolls-Royce plc, Kodak Eastman and Lycos Europe. The Lab coordinates the XMedia Integrated Project. In April 2008 the group has spun out K-now, a company for the commercialization of its technologies for semantic searching (K-Search) and supporting distributed communities (K-Forms). Moreover, USFD has recently established an Institute for Cognitive Informatics (ICON), to bring together and support Sheffield's multidisciplinary strengths in Language, Speech and Hearing research. ICON will provide infrastructure for collaborative research, internally and with external partners. The USFD community in these fields is one of the largest and strongest worldwide: ICON brings together more than 40 academics across 7 Departments and 5 Faculties.
Centro Ricerche FIAT, Italy
 Centro Ricerche FIAT (CRF) was established in 1976 to enable the innovation, research and development needs of the FIAT Group to be satisfied. The main site of CRF is located near Torino (Orbassano) in North-West Italy with three branches in Trento, Bari and Foggia. Moreover, advanced R&D related to lighting and the welding of plastics is conducted at a satellite facility in the Friuli Region of North-East Italy. With a full-time workforce of more than 850 highly trained professionals, CRF offers a wide range of technical competencies and is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories for the testing of power trains, electro-magnetic compatibility, experimental noise and vibration analysis, driving simulation and virtual reality, in addition to facilities for the development of new materials and manufacturing processes, opto-electronics and micro-technologies. CRF uses innovation as strategic lever and attributes value to its results by promoting, developing and transferring innovation in order to enhance product competitiveness and distinctiveness. Furthermore, the development of effective, creative and competitive solutions is matched by direct technology transfer, which also includes “on the job” training of specialised personnel in the different areas. In this way, CRF provides vital technological support for growth to Fiat Group, its partners and different regions by conducting research and development activities, frequently related to improving the efficiency and safety of mobility and transportation by focusing on the development of vehicles with new architectures and power trains, innovative materials and advanced solutions for telematics and communications, mechatronics and optics. Specific areas of expertise at CRF related to this project include:
- flexible production technologies for low investment costs
- telematics, mobility and intermodality systems
- cost engineering, ergonomics, quality and inbound logistics
- multimedia and HMI systems
- product lifecycle management
In the same area, CRF is involved in the following projects: X-Media (X-Media), PROMISE (PROMISE), DYNAMITE (DYNAMITE)...
CRF will be represented in this project by its Business Line Infomobility. Main items of research are:
- Benchmarking and Technologies Evaluation in order to support Product Design
- Mobility Management to Support Business Efficiency and Social Inclusion
- Business Processes, Manufacturing and Quality Based on ICT
- Personal and Product Security
- Wireless Technologies for Vehicle Costs/Complexity Reduction and Value Chain Enhancement via Breakthrough Innovations
- Wireless Networks: V2I, V2V, D2V (Interiors, Nomadic, New HMI, Vehicle Monitoring, Eye Tracking, …)
- Seamless Connectivity between Vehicles, Infrastructures and Human Spaces (Home, Enterprise, Office, Workshop,…) to Support Innovative
- Mobility Paradigms and New Approaches to the Use of the Vehicle (E-commerce, E-government,…)
Centro Ricerche FIAT will provide the points of view of the end-users (Fiat, IVECO), providing requirements, process models, and data as well as the points of view of the technological experts in the area of electronics and telematics applied to the product lifecycle, from development to production, use, maintenance and disposal of a vehicle.
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Finland
 VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is an impartial expert organisation. Its objective is to develop new technologies, create new innovations and value added thus increasing clients' competitiveness and competencies. With its know-how VTT produces research, development, testing and information services to public sector and companies as well as international organisations. With its staff of 2700 experts VTT provides high-end technology solutions and innovation services. From its wide knowledge base, VTT can combine different technologies, create new innovations and a substantial range of world class technologies and applied research services. Through its international scientific and technology network, VTT can produce information, upgrade technology knowledge, and create business intelligence and value-add to its stakeholders. VTT´s technological focus areas are Applied Materials Technology, Bio and Chemical Processes, Energy, Information and Communication Technologies, Industrial Systems, Microtechnologies and Electronics, and Technology in the Community. VTT's turnover in 2005 was 225 Million €.
Knowledge Media Institute, The Open University, UK
 The Open University is the largest university in the United Kingdom and the leading distance teaching institution in the world. The Open University courses are directly available throughout Europe and, by means of partnership agreements with other institutions, in many other parts of the world. The Knowledge Media Institute (KMi) at the Open University was set up at the end of 1995 to provide the Open University with a world-leading research centre in the strategically crucial area of knowledge media. Since its creation KMi has quickly established itself as a major player on the world stage of research in new media, web and knowledge technologies, bringing in about 23 million Euro in external funding. Over the years our industrial sponsors and collaborators have included several blue chip companies, such as Apple Computers, Sun Microsystems, IBM, British Aerospace, Andersen Consulting, British Telecom, BP-Amoco, Verizon, Marconi, Oracle, and Hewlett-Packard.
University of St. Gallen (HSG)
 The University of St.Gallen (HSG) is one of the top-ranked European Business Schools. It concentrates on the training and continuing education of experts and leaders in business, public administration, and the law. The University has constantly extended its network of exchange and cooperation agreements with internationally prominent business schools and universities in Europe, North and South America and Asia. Research at the University of St.Gallen is centred on more than two dozen institutes and research groups. HSG’s strong track record in application-oriented research is underpinned by more than 100 successful spin-offs and by several executive education programmes. With 4 professors, 6 project managers and 26 PhD students, the Institute of Technology Management (ITEM-HSG) is one of the largest organizations of its kind in Europe. The institute maintains close links to industry through intense collaboration and European organisations by means of major research projects. Research results from publications and theses flow directly into courses while students can develop real world research through collaboration in the institute’s industry projects. Current partner organizations include leading companies and organizations, such as SAP AG, Metro Group, Nokia, Deutsche Telekom AG, Migros, Swisscom, among others. Moreover, the Institute of Technology Management maintains close ties to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich), where Prof. Fleisch heads the Information Management chair at the Department of Management, Technology, and Economics. This institute devotes its research activities to the very same topics as the Institute of Technology Management at the University of St.Gallen. ITEM-HSG is member of the Auto-ID Lab and thus part of a federation of research universities that have evolved from the Auto-ID Center, initially founded in 1999 to develop an open standard architecture for creating a seamless global network of physical objects. Funded in part by standardisation organizations, governments, and industry, the Auto-ID Labs are based at seven leading universities worldwide - MIT, University of Cambridge, University of St. Gallen, University of Adelaide, Keio University, Fudan University, and ICU. Each with distinct interests and capabilities, but linked by the common vision of an "Internet of things," the Auto-ID Labs continue to research and develop new technologies and applications for revolutionizing global commerce and providing previously unrealizable user benefits.
ETH Zurich (ETH)
 ETH Zurich is a science and technology university in the City of Zurich, Switzerland and is regularly ranked among the top universities in the world where it traditionally achieves best marks in natural sciences, computer science and engineering sciences. It is placed between 3rd and 6th in Europe and between 10th and 27th in the world in international rankings by the Academic Ranking of World Universities and the Times Higher Education Supplement World University Rankings. The research group of Information Management at the ETH department of Management, Technology and Economics (MTEC) and headed by Prof. Elgar Fleisch comprises about 10 Ph.D. students whereof some are supervised in cooperation with SAP Research Zurich. Research topics range from business impacts (processes, products and services) to applications and infrastructure of the "Internet of things". Current partner organizations include leading companies and organizations, such as Nokia, Zurich insurance Services, Deutsche Telekom AG, Migros, Swisscom, among others. Moreover, the group of Information Management has close ties to the University of St. Gallen, where Prof. Fleisch is one of the directors of the Institute of Technology Management (ITEM-HSG). This institute devotes its research activities to similar topics as Information Management but focuses more on the business aspects.
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