Brussels, 18/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - In the context of the “Future Internet week” event organised by the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU in Budapest from 16 to 19 May, the European Commission highlights European Union efforts to make the internet of the future a dynamic place for innovation, growth and jobs. It says it is currently reviewing the progress of some 140 “Future Internet” research projects which it supports.
The internet connects over 1.5 billion people today and an infinite number of objects are expected to get connected in the future. Research projects currently being developed, with the support of the EU, are seeking to make this internet of the future a reality. On 3 May, the Commission launched the first phase of the €600 million “Future Internet” Public-Private Partnership to promote innovation in Europe and help business and public administrations put in place internet solutions capable of absorbing the exponential growth in online data (see EUROPE 10370).
Examples of EU-funded flagship research projects in the field of the Future Internet include: 2020 3D MEDIA, which is working on the development of three dimensional (3D) images and sounds for various platforms (mobile telephones, internet, TV); SENSEI, which seeks to integrate the physical world into the digital world, that is, to develop high-tech applications for practical purposes, for example, in transport, energy or health; Internet of Things Architecture, which researches how computers, objects and people can connect to the Internet in an open and standardised way while safeguarding privacy and security. (I.L./transl.rt)