CORDIS Archive : ISTweb | Workprogramme 2002

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INFORMATION SOCIETY TECHNOLOGIES
Programme for Research, Technology Development and Demonstration under the Fifth Framework Programme

Work Programme 2002

3. DETAILED OBJECTIVES AND RTD PRIORITIES

3.5. CROSS-PROGRAMME THEMES

Objectives

Cross-programme themes are the most practical manifestations of both the integrated nature of the IST Programme and of the underlying convergence of information processing, communications and media. The objective of the Cross-programme actions and clusters is to ensure that topics associated with more than one Key Action are addressed in a coherent manner, with each Key Action concentrating on and contributing from its particular perspective. These activities add value by facilitating information exchange, consensus and co-ordination on themes that cut across the Programme.

Strategy and Architecture

Much of the value of IST Programme stems from the breadth of research subjects brought together as one programme and the potential for cross fertilisation and synergies that such integration creates. The strategy for facilitating the emergence of Cross-programme themes is twofold:

On the one hand Cross-programme actions (CPAs) invite proposals on themes which span more than one Key Action. Cross-programme Action Lines are a strong integration mechanism that allows proposers the flexibility to address multidisciplinary and multi-purpose RTD related to more than one Key Action, in a coherent way. The projects arising from Cross-programme Action Lines should seek to work closely with the most relevant projects in the Key Actions. They are expected to be grouped into cross programme clusters once they are launched.
On the other hand Cross-programme clusters (CPCs) will build a-posteriori links between ongoing projects throughout the Programme and provides the glue that reinforces the complementarity of these projects and the synergies derived from their work. Projects in a Cross-programme cluster, although located in several Key Actions, will share common topics and objectives. Cross-programme clusters are implemented using a support measure as defined in Action Line VIII.1.1

CPAs for 2002

The following WP2001 CPAs are NOT included in WP2002: CPA 1, CPA 2, CPA 3, CPA 4, CPA 5, CPA 6, CPA 7, CPA 8, CPA 11, CPA 12, CPA 13.

Four themes are proposed as Cross Programme Actions in WP2002 and are described in the following Action Lines.

IST2002 - V.1.9 CPA 9 : GRID technologies and their applications
IST2002 - V.1.10 CPA10 : Sensor technologies and applications
IST2002 - V.1.14 CPA14 : Mobile applications and services
IST2002 - V.1.15 CPA15 : Technology platforms for culture and arts

IST2002 - V.1.9 CPA9 : GRID Technologies and their applications

Objectives:

Development, integration and validation of Grid technologies and their applications in research, industry and for addressing societal challenges. Work will range from GRID technology building blocks to Grid-related middleware and large scale applications. It will also include test beds.

The target Grid technologies and applications cover one or more of the following layers:

Computational GRIDs which is the basic layer for harnessing processing power by distributing massive computational tasks to numerous resources (compute cycles and data storage) over matching communication links.
Information and knowledge GRIDs allowing access to dispersed information, and knowledge discovery and extraction from spread knowledge resources. They make use of cognitive techniques and tools such as data mining, machine learning, content semantics, ontology engineering, information visualisation and intelligent agents.
Grid technologies are also to be interpreted in a broad sense including technologies for Peer-to-Peer Computing (P2P) using commodity hardware to enable the co-ordinated use of geographically distributed resources without central control.

Focus

Development of large-scale applications where computing, data and/or knowledge intensive requirements justify a Grid approach (physics, meteorology, environment, earth observation, biology and health, aeronautics, automotive, e-business, e-learning, entertainment etc.). Implementation and integration problems as well as security, business and organisational issues are to be considered.
Development or improvement of computing-, information- or knowledge GRID-specific toolkits including grid security infrastructure, software and system architectures that ensure performance and scalability of solutions together with usability and functionality. Programming methods covering the entire software development cycle could also be included.
Solving of interoperability issues between Grid technologies and commodity middleware to facilitate integration with legacy systems. Promotion of standards and reusable elements of broad usability.
Building test-beds "at scale" (international links are encouraged) to integrate and implement diverse underlying technologies for end to end service deployment in the context of full scale applications.
Conducting trials aiming at the introduction of the "Grid at large" in industrial, commercial and societal applications. A trial would typically consist of two major steps: (i) integration of existing technologies and set-up of a prototype Grid environment responding to true industrial, commercial and/or societal requirements; (ii)preparation, execution and evaluation of a number of applications driven by real users and carried out in collaboration with the respective technology and service providers.
The creation of advanced facilities for demonstration and training.

Types of actions addressed:

Research and Development, Demonstration and Combined Projects, Trials and other non take-up Accompanying Measures.

Links with WP 2001:

Reshaped Action Line IST2001 - V.1.9 on "GRID test beds, deployment and technologies", also taking up issues related to Action Line IST2001 - III.4.1. on "Semantic Web Technologies".

IST2002 - V.1.10 CPA10: Sensor technologies and applications

Objective:

To develop intelligent interactive systems and multi-sensing technologies and their applications for health, mobility, security, comfort and environmental monitoring in the workplace, the car and at home.

The emphasis is on bridging the developments in micro-nano-sensors technology with research on innovative applications offering multi-sensorial and easy access to knowledge based services and applications at work, home, for people on the move and in relation to healthcare and environmental protection. Progress in lower cost sensor and actuator technologies, smart sensing systems, miniaturised networked modules, their integration with interfacing middleware and their applications plays a major role in realising the Programme vision of an ambient intelligence landscape.

Focus:

Optimisation or development of new leading edge applications making best use of improved sensor technologies, their networking and improved communication capabilities. This includes also developments in the light of research on inter-personal interactions and behaviour.
Customisation of the sensor, actuator, micro-system or miniaturisation technology to match the requirements of the envisaged applications as well as to fulfil their processing capability and networked functionality.
Integration of sensors and actuators with intuitive interface middleware contributing to the use and development of intuitive systems e.g. interfaces capable of monitoring, understanding and interpreting presence, words, gestures and physiological parameters adaptive to user requirements and self-learning, as well as automatic personal identification and localisation for context sensitive tangible interfaces; and their use in related applications and services. In this perspective technology developments must be associated with social and behavioural research on personal interaction both with networked services and with other people through mediation.
Test-beds to assess and validate application-specific solutions are also addressed.

Work is encouraged to foster the interaction and convergence of different scientific disciplines including materials, electronics, physics, chemistry, medical and biological sciences and systems engineering with the goal to develop fully integrated sensor solutions and their application in the target areas such as health, medical, food, agriculture, environment, monitoring and control of natural resources as well as in professional equipment, and in industrial and communication systems.

Types of actions addressed:

Research and Development, Demonstration and Combined Projects, Trials, Thematic Networks and Concerted Actions.

Links with WP 2001:

Refocused Action Line IST2001- V.1.10 on "Next generation micro and nano-technologies for highly integrated miniature applications".

IST2002 - V.1.14 CPA14: Mobile applications and services

Objectives:

To develop user friendly applications and services, for possible deployment at pan-European level, that take full advantage of the possibilities of leading-edge mobile and wireless technologies, including third generation mobile systems and wireless LANs, in the framework of a transition from IPv4 to IPv6 based service provisioning.

Focus:

The focus is on integrated solutions that combine advanced mobile and wireless technologies with multi-sensorial interfacing techniques to provide innovative secure value added services and applications. Inter-working and inter-operability of different solutions (e.g. 3G systems and W-LAN) can be considered in order to provide the most convenient and efficient service provision as a function of the user profile, which may include the user location, with due account of security and privacy. Possible applications and services include but are not limited to:

Applications and services for mobile commerce / business, work and advertising, also envisaging innovative business models and electronic payment solutions;
Mobile entertainment, streaming (also in combination with compatible broadcasting techniques), mobile learning, mobile access to Cultural Heritage;
location based, personalised and context-sensitive services including navigation and guidance, traffic and traveller information and management systems, electronic payment systems and virtual presence;
Emergency assistance services and Mobile health applications and services.

Types of actions addressed:

Research and Development, Demonstration and Combined Projects.

Links with WP 2001:

New Action Line.

IST2002 - V.1.15 CPA15: Technology platforms for cultural and arts creative expressions

Objectives:

To develop future generic platforms and tools for improving creative expression and facilitating access to inspirational material for artistic and cultural content creation. Applications include creative work in media production, cultural assets exploitation, artistic design, and facilitate contemporary arts and performance. Work will take advantage of, and develop technologies for virtual, augmented and mixed realities, new displays, and multisensory and multimodal interfaces.

Proposals should address medium to long term exploratory work with an emphasis on the discovery of novel ways to master traditional and new media, novel forms of creative and artistic expression, and novel forms of content, ultimately leading to a new "digital" expression.

Focus:

Developing generic technology platforms and tools to assist the cultural and artistic community in its creative process in a simple, interactive and intuitive manner and without imposing restrictions.
Benchmarking existing platforms, creating forums for the exchange of experience and networking centres of excellence where engineers and scientists work to support the artistic and cultural community, Involving the scientific and technical community active in the development of new media tools and not traditionally related to the cultural and artistic area, as well as independent artists, young talents, cultural designers and creators,
Making available generic platforms and tools such as free / open source software and "open hardware" that can be easily used by artists, designers and creators for free and unlimited exploration.
The CPA could constitute the basis of a virtual European laboratory dealing with novel usage of information and communication technology. This may lead to new, still to be invented, forms of content and applications.

Types of actions addressed:

Research and Development, Demonstration and Combined Projects, Thematic networks.

Links with WP 2001:

New AL combining relevant activities in KA3 and KA4.