Sweden prepares to give lesson in IT and innovation
An international outlook and a willingness to try anything are two of the keys to making Sweden one of the most innovative countries in the European Union, according to Kjell Pederson, President of the West Sweden organisation and organiser of the forthcoming 'e-mobility 2001' event in Gothenburg on 31 May and 1 June. The event, which has been set up in collaboration with the European Commission, should give an insight into some of the elements which make Sweden a role model in its e-mobility progress. Speaking to CORDIS News before the event, Mr Pederson highlighted some of key factors in that success, including in his opinion, participation in the European Union's Framework programmes. He uses the example of a project named 'Infoville' under the IST (Information society technologies) programme which has involved research and collaboration with large Scandinavian firms such as Ericsson and Telia that has helped to develop WAP technology for a water management system. This means that full diagnostics of the workings of the system are available on a mobile phone handset. Furthermore, any problems showing in the diagnostics can be resolved by using the handset. As Mr Pederson points out, this means that a supervisor of the system could get a message on his handset while at home telling him that a certain valve is faulty and could address the situation by shutting down that valve with a command on his handset. 'This project showed that both old and new economy can benefit from these projects and also shows the people of the practical benefits of being part of the Union.' He pointed out that there are still around six IST projects in the West Sweden region which are all worth more than 10 million euro each and says that the projects so far have proved a good testing ground for applications as well as providing good opportunities for commercialisation. As well as bringing together researchers and private industry, the EU projects have also served to bring other institutions such as universities and public institutions together, universities for their skills and public institutions because they are the one of the biggest funders and consumers of the results. He feels that the new emphasis of looking at bigger, riskier projects in the forthcoming Sixth Framework programme is correct and also feels that the demands from competitive private sector firms has been well met in the FP6 outline, but feels that medium sized projects should not be neglected. Looking forward, Mr Pederson says that the open-mindedness of Swedes has been a key element in making the country so innovative. 'We have a small internal market which makes us look at the international situation and our government is now working with business,' he said. 'We have nothing to fear now, except the world economy!'