INTERVIEW WITH MICHEL COSNARD, CEO OF THE FRENCH NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN COMPUTER SCIENCE AND CONTROL (INRIA) : ARTEMIS'S SUCCESS WILL DEPEND ON THE ROLE AND PLACE OF SMES.

Back on 21 November 2006, during the annual conference on Information Society Technologies (IST) in Helsinki, the EU's Information Society CommissioneraViviane Reding had announced that the research programme on embedded systems', ARTEMIS (Advanced Research and Technology for Embedded Intelligence & Systems), could be the first joint technology initiative (JTI) of 2007. The new method of financing of large research programmes was introduced in the 7th framework programme for EU research (FPRD) (2007-2013). The announcement will only be confirmed after adoption by the Council, and consultation by the European Parliament, of a proposal by the Commission, expected by the end of March. In the meantime, Michel Cosnard, the Chief Executive Officer of The French National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Control (INRIA), a partner of ARTEMIS, sees embedded systems as the jewel in the crown of European technology. In an interview with Europolitics, he stresses the place of these 'intelligent technologies' in the EU as well as the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in this market.

Why are embedded systems so important?

The applications of embedded systems are significant, whether they concern the transport market, defence, RFID labels, health, housing or telecommunications. People tend to think that embedded systems are solely material, whereas they 'embed their intelligence' in the form of software to react to the signals of the sensors and to interact between them in the framework of large devices which control or command them. The advantage lies in the intelligence of the device.

What are Europe's prospects like in this sector?

While the United States have neglected this field for a long time, and focused above all on equipment and general data-processing software, Europe has maintained a strong presence. It must therefore set itself the objective of keeping its place at the top. Europe has established itself as a leading player in sectors such as energy, transport and information technologies. It has done so to a lesser degree with regard to production and design. The production of circuits is now done in Asia. And, while design...