FENIX Interactive Computing

Transcription

1 FENIX Interactive Computing Technology Programme Report 2/2007 Final Report

2 FENIX Interactive Computing Final Report Technology Programme Report 2/2007 Helsinki

3 Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation Tekes is the main public funding organisation for research and development (R&D) in Finland. Tekes funds industrial projects as well as projects in research organisations, and especially promotes innovative, risk-intensive projects. Tekes offers partners from abroad a gateway to the key technology players in Finland. Technology programmes Tekes choices for the greatest impact of R&D funding Tekes uses technology programmes to allocate its financing, networking and expert services to areas that are important for business and society. Programmes are launched in areas of application and technology that are in line with the focus areas in Tekes strategy. Tekes allocates about half the financing granted to companies, universities and research institutes through technology programmes. Tekes technology programmes have been contributing to changes in the Finnish innovation environment for twenty years. Copyright Tekes All rights reserved. This publication includes materials protected under copyright law, the copyright for which is held by Tekes or a third party. The materials appearing in publications may not be used for commercial purposes. The contents of publications are the opinion of the writers and do not represent the official position of Tekes. Tekes bears no responsibility for any possible damages arising from their use. The original source must be mentioned when quoting from the materials. ISSN ISBN Cover: Oddball Graphics Oy Page layout: DTPage Oy Printers: Libris Oy, 2007

4 Foreword Focus on end users and user interaction were the driving forces when Tekes initiated a feasibility study for a potential new technology programme in spring The goal of the study was to evaluate the business opportunities and the interests of Finnish companies and research institutes in a convergence area where three areas of the ICT cluster meet: the software business, telecommunications services, and content and media. Even now, the major findings of the study, completed in October 2002, appear valid and current: Application of network services in everyday business is increasing Value-added services in traditional industry are on the ascendancy Focus is moving from hardware toward software and services in the telecoms industry The Internet will become a global product distribution channel, one huge relational database E-business in both B-to-C and B-to-B sectors is steadily increasing The importance of games and entertainment in Web and mobile services is increasing. An expression-of-interest procedure was carried out also, to collect ideas from the industry and the research community. Tekes received nearly 200 tentative project proposals from universities, research institutes, and companies well beyond our expectations. Based on the feasibility study and the expression of interest procedure, the new programme titled FENIX Interactive Computing was launched in March Its main objective was to boost the Finnish ICT sector by funding and supporting R&D of software technologies and applications in which human/computer interaction plays a major role. The programme also placed a clear focus on product-centred business and long-term competitiveness. The role of SMEs was of great importance in the FENIX programme. More than 60% of the Tekes funding for companies in the programme went directly to SMEs. FENIX was also known as the Tekes game technology programme. Counter to expectations at the beginning of the programme, game and entertainment applications were the biggest single main application area of four focus areas as measured by both financing and number of projects. Also, a special FENIX games and entertainment business programme was launched and carried out in order to support the small game developers in their internationalisation and business development efforts.

5 The convergence area of the software business, telecommunications services, and content and media is still undergoing continuous and rapid change. Open source, ubiquitous wireless access to the Internet, and social media communities are just a few examples of phenomena whose importance is yet to be seen in full. The results of the FENIX programme seem to indicate that also small companies and small nations have their role and possibilities for success in this area. Tekes would like to thank all who participated in the FENIX technology programme. Special thanks are due to the chair and members of the Management Board for their professional guidance during the programme. The thematic groups in the programme provided a joint forum for discussion and learning for companies and researchers. Tekes also expresses gratitude to Programme Co-ordinator Klaus Oesch of Finantec Ltd. for his successful and tireless efforts in co-ordinating the programme activities both in Finland and abroad in collaboration with experts from Tekes. Helsinki, April 2007 Tekes the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation

6 Contents Foreword 1 At the Conclusion of the FENIX Programme Interactive Computing Technology Development Overview Building the Competitive and Intelligent Nationwide Community Heritage After FENIX The FENIX Programme Interactive Computing Background and Objectives Operational Structure of the FENIX Programme Operational Lead FENIX Management Board Communications in the Programme Thematic Groups Activities of the Thematic Groups International Activities Networking Trips International Demonstrations and Connections Facts and Figures Focus Areas Project Presentations Knowledge Management Applications Project Examples Value-adding Communities Project Examples Interactive Industry Services Project Examples Games and Entertainment Project Examples Hybrid Media Project Examples KuntaFENIX and Onni KuntaFENIX online services for the public sector ONNI involves users in product development Appendix 1 Tables of Other Projects Appendix 2 Project Participants of the FENIX Programme Tekes Technology Programme Reports in English

7 Use your mobile through the printed smart UpCode images found in FENIX final report to get more information on programme s Web site. UpCode installation and use Open the web browser in your mobile phone. Download UpCode with your mobile at Open the program from the menu. Make sure that nothing is covering the camera. Point the camera at the UpCode code, until the program automatically takes a picture of the code. If an empty field is opened instead of the camera type in the number of the code and choose go. If the mobile asks for connection answer yes or choose an access point. The codes will be found on pages 1, 5, 8 and 136. For more information, please contact: info@upcode.fi

8 1 At the Conclusion of the FENIX Programme 1.1 Interactive Computing Technology Development The Tekes programme FENIX Interactive Computing was a four-year technology programme focusing especially on research and development of software technologies and applications where interaction between end- users and information systems has had a significant role. Through FENIX, Tekes allocated its funding, networking, and expert services to areas that are essentially important for information and communication technology business, development of the national Information Society, and our welfare system in overall. Approximately 120 enterprises and 17 research communities were funded, in 185 projects carried out by companies or research institutes or both. The main target of the programme was innovative application development based on intelligent user interface, interactive media, and knowledge and content management technology. The primary goal was the development of userfriendly application technologies and products/ services for consumers, industry, and public bodies. Instead of one-off projects, the programme targeted product-based operations and projects that contributed to competitiveness and knowhow in the long run. Figure 1. FENIX target area. 1

9 1.2 Overview Building the Competitive and Intelligent Nationwide Community In its four years, the FENIX programme provided both Tekes funding and networking and business expertise with various forms, including seminars, workshops, business programmes, and international visits. The programme co-ordinator prepared a strategy for the FENIX technology programme that was focused on certain major areas of technology and its application. Also, international benchmarking was targeted at Asian countries (Japan, Korea, and China) and the USA (Silicon Valley and Los Angeles). In its meetings, the FENIX Management Board updated the programme strategy several times between 2003 and In spring 2006, the management group conducted assessment for follow-up on the matter of What kind of technology programme is needed after FENIX. The basic target of the technology programme has been to create the technological methods and processes that are required as the innovation environment moves toward the Information Society. Piece by piece, block by block, FENIX projects have developed the cornerstones for knowledge creation communities and the hypermedia-based open innovation structure that is leading Finland toward new processes and networks for a creative, networked, and competitive nation. The cluster of communication and understanding Interactive computing is creating the conditions that frame applications in everyday life. Therefore, the FENIX technology programme has concentrated on the building of the networks and processes of the Information Society. Many applications in the programme are prototypes and value networks that serve as building blocks for future ubiquitous computing in a cross-disciplinary scientific environment. Rapid completion of beta testing is required for intelligent and innovative applications that are aimed at international markets. From a foundation of work in the areas of speech and language, user interfaces, 3D computer graphics, information search, knowledge-building, virtual communities, and interactive computing, the FENIX technology programme has built a new layer between the human and information technology which is called the cluster of communication and understanding. The new information practices and principles have been central to the technology focus of the programme. Different ways to do business, use public services, or enjoy digital entertainment have been the drivers for different applications based on telecommunications. Also, discussions were in progress in the final phase of the programme concerning inauguration of a larger cluster of multilingual communication and content management (containing the areas of speech and language technology, user interface technology and usability, virtual multicultural communities, and context-awareness in ubiquitous and multilingual environments). In the course of the FENIX programme, the understanding and knowledge necessary for developing the Information Society services of the future were accumulated. The programme adopted what is now called the FENIX approach: building new applications through a value-network-based approach and understanding the meaning of processes and networks as the architecture of the Information Society. The Finnish Information Society programme (ValtIT) and FENIX developed a specific prototype for the public information-technology-based service platform KuntaFENIX. This will serve as the reference for development of customer-based public services in Finland. 2

10 1.3 Heritage After FENIX The steps on the road toward the Information Society in Finland are based in part on the services and content development described under the eeurope initiative and the 6 th and 7 th Framework Research Programme of the European Commission. Creation of information and communications network services requires the actors to have knowledge of the value creation in the network. Content creation will be the driver for future services. Therefore, the games and entertainment market segment was chosen as the primary building block, well ahead of the other vertical markets, for this target. Finnish players are savvy in telecommunications and software technology. Combining digital media with this knowledge creates new services based on intelligent media, which are being built on the added value from user interface technology, scalable media, and embedded software intelligence. New distribution channels have been opened through the growth of Web 2.0 and the interactive mobile Internet. A fully interactive World Wide Web will be the working space for distributed virtual expertise and innovative service creation. Doors are open to new markets in the FENIX technology programme s areas of focus, but dynamic performance, focused investing in the developing area of knowledge management (especially in SMEs), and understanding of the rapid growth of global forces from Asia are required; globalisation also is discontinuous with the model currently applied in organisation of research and development (see of_rd.pdf). The innovation process no longer is only technological; it is based also on new ways of organising innovation and management. Network-based management teams who can respond rapidly to change and new leadership processes are needed to open the doors to Finnish users aiming at cyberspace-based blue-ocean markets. Also, an open innovation beta-testing model called the living lab is required in future creative industries, because it will be the driver of nonmaterial, global service business. In 2007, Tekes launched a new Embedded Systems Ubicom technology programme, which overlaps FENIX in at least some areas. Also, the Vamos technology programme (2005) focusing on implementing wireless technology solutions, the Verso technology programme (2006) targeting open source software and the Serve innovative service technology programme (2006) continued to invest in the FENIX programme s overall area of focus. Finland has a good opportunity to create solid business and related research in the area addressed by the technology programme. However, stronger management is needed for building cross-disciplinary scientific research and establishing its connection to international business aimed at growth markets (e.g., China, India, and Russia). The cluster of communication and understanding, hybrid media, knowledge management, and digital home applications together form a blueocean market already. The new resource allocation in research and funding is a challenge to the Finnish players. The FENIX programme has tried to meet this challenge now it is the turn of investors, universities, and public bodies to take firmer hold of the rapidly growing virtual applications markets. 3

11 2 The FENIX Programme Interactive Computing 2.1 Background and Objectives After Tekes USIX User-Oriented Information Technology programme ended in 2002, a study explored the need for a new technology programme in the field of software and user interface research and development. The preliminary study for FENIX concluded that there was a need for a programme that would be more businessoriented, build cross-disciplinary project teams, and help Finnish parties to be internationally connected. As a result, the FENIX programme was launched in early Its mission was research and development of software technologies and applications where interaction between end users and information systems has a significant role. The main goal was the development of user-friendly application technologies and products/services for consumers, corporations, and public bodies. Instead of one-off projects, the programme targeted product-based businesses and projects contributing to competitiveness and know-how in the long run. The long-term goals set by the board of Tekes were: 1. The business players taking part in the programme will develop and market products and services for international markets. The specific target areas were to develop the business knowledge of the SMEs, so that they act dynamically in application of the latest knowledge from the international markets, to get SMEs to do business actively at the international level and to create business networks and business models in collaboration with the overseas partners, and in the programme s areas of focus, to encourage the Finnish actors to develop international standards and norms actively. Figure 1. FENIX operational environment. 5

12 2. The technology, knowledge, and business concerned in particular, the associated research projects will be widely known in Europe and the Finnish actors esteemed at a global level. The newest technology will be demonstrated and inaugurated in the larger international arena. 3. The environment emphasised by the programme will be the state of the art at international level. The specific result should be that the research units and companies have created several research and development communities and value networks based on business needs and that the technology programme acts in close collaboration with other European technology programmes and activities. The programme had four areas of focus: Knowledge management applications, which are solutions needed by individual consumers, enterprises, and public administration for facilitating and improving precision in creating, saving, sharing, and finding information and knowledge regarding, e.g., the services offered by various information networks and public databases. Game and entertainment applications, which involve construction of various solutions, often technically demanding, intended for leisure use. This often includes software technology, computer graphics, multimedia content, and data communication technology. An essential aspect of this is to bring about concrete collaboration between the parties developing and offering a variety of technologies and other know-how. Community interaction services, which involve solutions intended for people to use in virtual gathering together, influencing, discussing, working, and learning. They may emerge as a creation of the users themselves, and they promote users opportunities to influence public debate. Examples of industrial use of these solutions are real-time customer service, management of partner networks, peripheral services related to a core product, and internal communication within the organisation. Hybrid media are techniques and applications based on fusion of printed and electronic media with data transmission. The aim is to ex- Figure 2. The main application areas and their key technologies. 6

13 pand the ways of using media by adding to the diversity of the content, the interactivity of media experiences, and the variety of distribution channels and terminal devices. Originally, mobile solutions formed another area of focus, but this area was changed to key technologies by the FENIX Management Board. 2.2 Operational Structure of the FENIX Programme Operational Management Management and co-ordination of the programme were executed by the Management Board and programme co-ordinator in collaboration with the Tekes programme supervisor. The programme co-ordinator was Consulting Director Klaus Oesch (Finantec Ltd.), and Partner Tero Nummenpää (Finantec Ltd.) was the programme co-ordinator s administrative coordinator, acting also as secretary to the Management Board. The Tekes programme supervisor was Director Marko Heikkinen FENIX Management Board The FENIX Management Board consisted of the following people: Hannu Nieminen, Chairman Nokia Research Center Matti Hämäläinen Codetoys Oy, TKK SoberIt Hannu Paunonen Metso Automation Oy Marko Turpeinen Alma Media Oyj, HIIT Eero Hyvönen Helsinki University, TKK Eero Silvennoinen, Tekes Anna Alasmaa (replaced by Inkeri Huttu in 2006 due to maternity leave), Tekes Juha Heinola, Tekes Janne Saarela, Profium Oy Jani Karlsson, AMD Finland Jukka Kallio (succeeding Matti Pulkkinen in 2005), HKKK, LTT-Tutkimus Oy The issues dealt with in Management Board meetings included approving new projects in the programme after the proposals had met the Tekes criteria, particularly in the choice of public research projects; approving the yearly strategy and operational plan; initiating and approving new programme activities, such as international activities; and monitoring programme activities and the general progress of the programme. The Management Board met four times a year. Several meetings also featured presentations by invited experts or other guests Communications in the Programme Communication in the programme followed the Tekes Communication Plan. It also was updated further and planned more closely via quarterly meetings. Communication was monitored by the operational management and the Management Board. The communications group (Klaus Oesch, Tero Nummenpää, Elina Ranta, and Kaj Nordgren) met once per month. The programme s main communication channels were the FENIX Web site and the FENIX-teknologiaohjelman uutiskirje newsletter, published monthly. The newsletter provided information about FENIX seminars and events, as well as events closely related to the programme. The Web site included various relevant information and news content concerning the programme and its co-operation partnerships. News items concerning or closely related to FENIX or its areas of focus were published weekly. The site also contained an event calendar with announcements concerning forthcoming seminars, meetings, etc. Details on all seminar presentations available were published on the FENIX Web site. The Web site and the newsletter also presented some of the most recent research, international contacts, and market surveys. 7

14 The Web site was updated in Finnish and to a lesser extent in English. Special pages for each of the thematic groups were created with more targeted information on the activities and networks in the group s area of operation. The mailing list had about 1,500 subscribers. Advertisements, both printed and electronic (i.e., Web banners in the online version of major newspapers such as Tekniikka & Talous and Helsingin Sanomat), were used to promote the annual FENIX seminars. Press contacts were maintained with Finland s largest ICT publications and also via proactive direct contacts with the media, monthly FENIX project presentations, and annual press releases. FENIX project news and results archive Thematic Group Operation Thematic groups were created to support open networking and co-operation among various parties. The activity was voluntary, and models of operations differed for each group. In most groups, there were meetings and workshops several times per year, and some groups also arranged international trips (e.g., Neogames). Typically, a big project took responsibility for running the group in its field. Within FENIX s four areas of focus, there were, in total, seven separate thematic groups: 1. Knowledge Management Applications ( Tietämyksen hallintasovellukset ) Responsible leader: Eero Hyvönen 2. Games and Entertainment ( pelit ja viihde ) Responsibility for activities rested with the Finnish gaming association created and organised in the course of the programme; leader: KooPee Hiltunen of Neogames 3. Community Interaction Services ( vuorovaikutteiset palvelut ja yhteisöllisyys ) and Interactive services of the industry Responsible leaders: Marko Turpeinen of the Helsinki Institute for Information Technology and Marko Nieminen, Helsinki University of Technology 4. Speech and Language Technologies ( kieli- ja puheteknologia ) Responsible leader: Jouni Isoaho, Turku University; for the Finnish language industry cluster, created in the project, responsible leader: Markku Saari of Kouvolan Kasarminmäen Osaamiskeskus 5. Hybrid Media Technologies ( hybridimedia ) Responsible leaders: Pirkko Oittinen of Helsinki University of Technology and Helene Juhola of Viestinnän keskusliitto 6. Internationalisation ( kansainvälistäminen ) Responsible leader: Markku Vantunen, Finpro 7. Digital Content Creation and Internationalisation ( digitaaliset sisältöpalvelut ) Responsible leader: Irina Blomqvist, Culminatum Activities of the thematic groups Knowledge management The Knowledge Management area of the FENIX programme, the special interest group (SIG) Knowledge Management, and the Semantic Web work were established to promote research into knowledge management. The SIG featured 46 projects, focusing on R&D concerning Semantic Web technologies, Web Services, search engines, and agent technologies. The main form of the SIG s activity involved arranging symposia at which interested researchers and developers could meet, present their results, and participate in discussion with each other. Such meetings also provided a forum for creating new research consortia and projects. The Museo- Suomi and FinnONTO projects, in collaboration with several organisations, arranged one international and four national conferences as part of FENIX activities. 8

15 Games and entertainment The Games and Entertainment thematic group organised activities and communication in its area of focus. The FENIX Games business programme for gaming SMEs was organised by Hermia Yrityskehitys, leading to an innovative model for creating international activities and growth in the area under focus. The programme, with 90 participating SMEs, led to international success. The business programme continued in 2006 in Finland. Later, the activities were organised by cluster community Neogames, which in the programme led internationalisation activities workshops, trips to conferences and exhibitions, international seminars, etc. The Finnish gaming industry was presented in 2005 and 2006 at the E3 exhibitions in Los Angeles. Neogames also signed an agreement in Paris in November 2006 as one of the founders of the European Game Developers Association. The association already has 15,000 active developers as members and it will be an active body for standardisation in its field. In February 2007, Neogames became a registered association for Finnish game developers. Speech and language technology The speech and language technology thematic group was organised by Turku University as part of the national PUMS speech and language technology project, funded by the FENIX programme. During the programme, 10 meetings and workshops were held, at different Finnish universities. As the FENIX programme comes to an end, a speech and language technology cluster is about to be born in Finland. FENIX supported the initiative of the Kouvola language and speech technology industry cluster KITES feasibility study and project preparation. The inauguration workshop was held in Kouvola in October The goal is to create a multicultural cluster of communication and understanding based on speech and language, user interface, usability, and interactive communication technologies. The main target of the cluster is to develop and offer a better cross-disciplinary networked platform for Finnish research, public bodies, and industry actors. At the core of the cluster are speech and language technology companies, research and development laboratory networks (e.g., the Lantern and PUMS networks), and multi-channel learning material developers networks. New business models and technological innovations combining the technologies of man/machine-interface-based communication and understanding will be developed. Special attention will be paid to the Asian, Indian, and Russian languages and to cultures forming new growing markets for the Finnish companies. Figure 3. Nordic booth at E Tekes supported several Finnish gaming companies participation in the event. 9

16 Community and interaction services The core themes of community interaction services have increased significantly in relevance and visibility during the programme s timeframe. Community interaction services, such as solutions for virtually gathering together, having an influence, playing together, carrying on discussion, working, and learning, are growing rapidly due to interest and activity on the Web in participatory media and user-generated media content. Another generator is mobile phones, which are changing people s behaviour of media creation and sharing. In terms of industry services, the focus of the group was on the technologies and methods that internally and externally support the processes and activities of networking business companies. The network methodology of the human actors and distributed expert group were a particular centre of focus. The expert community can add value and contribute to the performance of distributed group activities by means of interactive technology. The new technologies also offer a new base and possibilities for products and services that create new business potential. The thematic group in this focus area arranged 10 seminars and workshops during the FENIX programme, in such areas as the use of open-source software in community interaction, Web 2.0 and social media, virtual communities development in industrial applications, and adding of value to the technology-based service processes of the industry. Also, the focus group was connected closely with different kinds of community-based models for creating the practices of the developing Information Society, which are under research at such institutions as the Helsinki Institute of Information Technology, Oulu University, and the Tampere University Hypermedia Laboratory. The Tampere Technology Centre s COSS group is researching the open innovation and open source development community business model. A seminar on the open communities was arranged with the help of COSS in October Among the largest research projects were the Rotuaari and Nomadic Media projects of Oulu University and VTT and MC2 project of HIIT. Hybrid media Hybrid media was a new media innovation platform created in several FENIX projects. Around 10 special seminars and workshops were organised by the thematic group hybridmedia.org in the course of the programme. Hybrid media refers to techniques and applications based on the fusion of printed and electronic media with data transmission. Research and development in this Figure 4. Professor Ken Sakamura presented the T-engine architecture to Helene Juhola and Susanna Nieminen during the hybrid media trip to Japan in

17 area has been multidisciplinary from the very beginning. This is due to the characteristics of this field, which combines the interests of the paper, media, and ICT industries. The main promoter of research and development in this area of technology is the hybridmedia.org community, consisting of the Technical University of Helsinki, VTT, KCL (the Finnish Pulp and Paper Research Institute), and Finnmedia. In the research work it was considered important to communicate the status of the technology to a wider community beyond the projects themselves. Therefore, a special forum that held meetings in connection with the PrintInteract project was founded. The PrintInteract Forum gathered representatives of all research organisations and industry sectors together to discuss the status of the development in general and to consider emerging business models and standardisation questions. The forum also helped in creating networks among participating companies. The hybrid media development and benchmarking trip to Tokyo in May 2005 provided a good opportunity to compare the situation of coding technology and its practical applications and business models with the development done in Finland. This knowledge proved to be very useful for Finnish companies that are trying to commercialise the technology developed in Finland. Digital media The Digital Content thematic group in connection with Forum Virium Helsinki and Culminatum was targeted to create and organise larger multidisciplinary projects. The group arranged seven workshops and seminars during the programme to create value-adding networks combining digital media content and new business models for the Tekes funding body and investors interested in the new business opportunities. In the programme s consultation work, workshops and information distribution were used to create knowledge of the relevant business practices and funding possibilities among the SMEs. Since 2005, the Forum Virium Helsinki organisation has taken part in the thematic group s work. It led to the cluster initiative of the Finnish creative digital media industry. The main target involved internationalisation of the SMEs. In February 2007, the group arranged a networking trip to Köln for the Finnish SMEs in connection with the EU s 7 th framework programme networking conference. The FENIX technology programme, in connection with the digital media thematic group and with the co-operation of Forum Virium and HIIT, arranged workshops concerning the developing business models of communities and Web 2.0, new digital media formats, and emerging services. Also, FENIX, in collaboration with Mindtrek ry., arranged three seminars in Tampere, Finland, held in 2003 to 2005, on human interactive technology, services, and new ways to develop research and business wherein the human being and computer are the players in the interactive process. Also, the Tampere University Hypermedia Laboratory arranged a seminar on the social media in Work in the creative industry that is based on digital media is a great opportunity and also a challenge for Finland. The thematic group arranged an internationalisation trip to New Zealand in Also, Chinese and Asian models for creating new digital-media-based community, gaming, and mobile services have been a focus of the group during the benchmarking trips of FENIX. The examples of New Zealand and China showed how public bodies investment should concentrate on creating facilities and a growth platform for the industry cluster. Deeper understanding of the new markets creation requires understanding of technological development and the funding process. The activities of the FENIX digital media group also had an influence in creation of the first Finnish media cluster, inaugurated in 2007 by Culminatum, COSS, the Hämeenlinna e-learning centre, and the Kouvola language industry. International group The international thematic group, led by Finpro, arranged 12 meetings for discussion and presentation of international market studies for the Finnish companies aiming at overseas markets. Two seminars held at Finpro s offices concentrated on Asian and European mobile service and 11

18 on the content business. Finpro s international members additionally helped the FENIX programme with the arrangement of the Chinese and Korean trips in 2004 and Two business studies were carried out concerning the Asian (Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Taiwanese) cyberspace infrastructure and business development, through co-operation between Tekes and Finpro. The results were presented in a seminar at Finpro and during the FENIX benchmarking trips to Asia. 2.3 International Activities Networking Trips Internationalisation was an essential part of all of the programme s target areas and also one of the themes of the seven subject groups. Due to its international networking strategy, the FENIX programme organised several international trips. Most trips were arranged by the programme co-ordinator and his subordinates, but also Neogames, local Tekes offices, Finpro, and Culminatum have been active in this area. Finpro has arranged meetings in Finland to facilitate international activities. The major trips (with persons per trip) were the following: a trip to study Japanese game technology trends, to Tokyo and Shanghai (2003); a trip involving the cross-disciplinary scientific technology development project CITRIS at the University of California at Berkeley (2004); a computer graphics and user interface technology trip, to Los Angeles (2004); a trip for study of the cross-disciplinary scientific technology development MediaX project at Stanford University, California (2005); travel to study games and entertainment development, to Japan and Korea (May 2005); hybrid media development and benchmarking in Tokyo (May 2005); Semantic Web development in France (May 2005); creative industries and computer animation production development in New Zealand (November 2005) in collaboration with Culminatum; development of ubiquitous and user interfacing technology in Tokyo and Shanghai in April 2006 in connection with the Tekes Ubicom programme preparation; the state-of-the-art games and entertainment technology trip to the Hollywood E3 exhibition (in May 2006) with Neogames (all information and pictures from the trip can be found on the FENIX Web site, julkaisut ja linkit); the FENIX technology presentation for the Shanghai OpenTV lab seminar in September 2006 and Shanghai mass testing lab MoU signing and seminar trip in December 2006; and the EU 7 th framework networking trip for SMEs and research organisations to Köln in February 2007, with Culminatum. Berkeley CITRIS and Stanford MediaX cross-disciplinary scientific projects benchmarking The target of the trips to California in 2004 and 2005 was to introduce the Finnish players to the cross-disciplinary scientific projects and project work done at the University of California at Berkeley (CITRIS) and Stanford University (MediaX). The main purpose of the visits was to discover opportunities for mutual research, business activities, and co-operation. The market creation and development of knowledge-based-network service technology in the United States was particularly interesting. Working business models and experience with digital content management were other important business development issues. Another target of the visits was exchange of information between Finnish and American organisations and discussion of the possibility of forming a joint group to develop multidisciplinary collaboration in knowledge-based research community networks as well as networkbased industry services. Co-operation between Californian and Finnish research and funding organisations and companies was of special interest. Also, the possibility of creating a gateway through Finland to the growing markets in the European Union for the American business community was discussed. 12

19 Figures 5 and 6. In 2005, the Finnish group visited several Stanford MediaX research centres. Discussions about creation of cross-disciplinary work were on the main agenda. Representatives of the main universities in Finland took part in the trips, and the technology transfer has been successful. During the trips, the ideas of the creation of a Finnish gateway not only to the roots of Silicon Valley but also to the Los Angeles creative industries and computer-generated digital media business were discussed. A multidisciplinary approach to developing innovative projects is well arranged in the leading universities of California. Therefore, the leading Finnish universities and the Cicero learning network have paid considerable attention to the development and research work conducted in the MediaX and CITRIS research environments. The visits arranged by FENIX were a success. Technology-based human services, venture funding issues, and innovation development methods were among the foci of the visitors during the benchmarking trips. Gaming and entertainment trips: Los Angeles and New Zealand The gaming and entertainment companies have made several working trips, arranged by the Neogames cluster, to the United States and France. FENIX made two trips to Hollywood and Los Angeles. The first was for SIGGRAPH in August SIGGRAPH (the Computer Graphics Conference) is the leading conference on computer graphics, virtual technology, and computer animation. The FENIX group attended the conference s main presentations, became acquainted with state-of-the-art user interface technology, and had discussions with prospective partners. At E3 the Electronic Entertainment Expo in May 2006, the Finnish companies presented the latest mobile gaming technology developed in Finland, at the Nordic booth at the Los Angeles Convention Center. All major movie producers, computer companies, and key persons in the entertainment business visited the booth. During the trips, seminars and networking were arranged by the Finnish consulate for FENIX customers. In the networking meetings, information about the markets in California was provided to the customers. Also, the trip in 2005 to gain knowledge about the 3D animation, virtual tele-immersive technologies, and investment models used by the New Zealand animation industry was a success. The innovative and creative networked public model of the country is a good model for Finland to apply in this growth area. New Zealand is well known for new and innovative animation and digital media applications, as well as strong expertise in fields related to the film industry. Furthermore, New Zealand has highly advanced animation production facilities (with Weta Digital). The objective of the FENIX mission was to get an overall picture of the latest applications and visions in the field of creative experience technol- 13

20 ogy, and New Zealand s investments in and results from the Lord of the Rings project were the emphasis. At the same time, the mission aimed to identify opportunities for collaboration between New Zealand and Finland in the creative industries area. Hybrid media and ubiquitous interactive society in Japan The main trips to Japan, Korea, and China in were made primarily to benchmark the mobile wireless technology hybrid media and also mobile and broadband gaming, entertainment, and public applications. Japan is well known for its new and innovative media applications as well as its strong electronics expertise. Furthermore, Japan has a highly advanced information and communications infrastructure that facilitates the introduction of new ways to use and combine various media. The objective of the FENIX mission in 2005 was to gain an overview of the latest applications, trends, and visions in the field of hybrid media and related technologies in Japan. At the same time, the delegation aimed to identify opportunities for collaboration between Japan and Finland in this area. Also, trends in the usage of various media by Japanese consumers were an interest of the mission. More specifically, the Finnish delegation focused on the applications and technologies of electronic paper, electronic books, printed electronics, RFID technology, and mobile services combining various media. The targets of the other FENIX visits to Japan and Korea were exchange of information between Finnish, Japanese, and Korean organisations and discussion of possibilities for future projects. Gaming business and mobile-telecoms-based services (Docomo, J-Phone, KDDI, Korea Telecom, etc.) were demonstrated. The market creation and ubiquitous services technology knowledge in Japan was particularly interesting. Working business models and experience in content development formed another important business development area. Co-operation among Japanese, Korean, and Finnish research organisations and companies was a special area of interest, as the countries together can make a significant contribution to the development of the future Information Society. Figure 7. During the FENIX trip to Korea in 2005, the Digital City concept of the city of Seoul was studied carefully to obtain information on living lab trends. 14

21 Figure 8. The Finnish delegation worked to benchmark hybrid media user technology at the Panasonic Center in Tokyo in May Benchmarking of China as a growth and partner market A Finnish group consisting of top researchers from research centres as well as business managers and technology specialists of industry representing the areas covered by the FENIX programme visited Shanghai and Beijing several times in 2003, 2004, and In these visits, the FENIX programme discovered the huge opportunities to generate research and business between Finland and the rapidly growing Chinese partners. The main purpose of the three visits to China in 2006 was the opportunity to negotiate and sign an agreement between Chinese and Finnish developers of Information Society applications and technologies. Opportunities for mutual research and business activities were discussed and demonstrated, as were those for co-operation in future years. The FENIX technology programme particularly welcomed projects that create product- Figure 9. The interactive computing programme targeted practical applications research and development. In the photo, the director of the Finnish National Library, Prof. Kai Ekholm, studies the interactive book demonstration at Shanghai Multimedia Center. 15

22 based business between Finnish and Chinese partners and improve their competitiveness and know-how in the long run. The main purpose of the visits was to discover and understand the Information Society application development projects and the mass market generated by the Chinese state and Shanghai City, the digital-media-based service and content development projects under way at Shanghai Media Group and Shanghai Multimedia Park, telecommunication testing application development status in B-Star, the research being carried out in the main universities in Shanghai, and the living lab concept s development in China. At FinChi Center, the Finnish delegation presented the main Information Society development projects in progress in Finland (the Tekes technology programmes, Forum Virium Helsinki, Finnish testing environment Dimes, and Finnish/EU living lab and business cases). Both opportunities for mutual research and business activities in the form of a co-operation agreement for the years were discussed. Main findings in the programme During the trips to the United States and Asia, and in several discussions among the actors, a Finnish strategy has been developed for future development of gateways to these major growth markets. The FinChi and FinNode centres in Shanghai and Silicon Valley are the first implementations of this strategy, also applied in the FENIX technology programme. The main questions have been how to obtain investments from abroad for Finland, how to create an internationally competitive network and task force of Finnish players to succeed in the stone-hard international marketplace, how to develop a national network to support growth of the Finnish companies in China, and how to develop creative field operations in the midst of old-fashioned and bureaucratic public structures that hinder the rapidly developing globalisation process. The answer lies in stronger management and organisation of the networked research and business teams. More power to operate the small Finnish regional and underfunded international research and development projects in connection with the EU framework programmes is needed. The international growth business in which Finnish players have a chance to succeed is proceeding apace. Experiences from the programme projects are showing that an innovative SME has only months from the innovation to get its market share in the international market. New ways to organise consumer-driven test beds are needed. When one moves in the global digital economy, time is money. Implementation of international business models and benchmarking of the innovations for the markets as soon as possible are the conditions for future success. The leading model for a sound future technology programme can be found in military doctrine. Data fusion, an emergent way to lead the players to the new blue-ocean markets, is needed as a method. The target should be faster cross-disciplinary scientific service value networks, Web- 2.0-based beta testing living labs, and concentration on the added value of certain technology-based open innovation networks creation in connection with future driver markets such as China International Demonstrations and Connections Learning multidisciplinary working models CITRIS, MediaX, living labs, FinNode Technology transfer from California to Finland has been one of the goals of the programme. Both Berkeley s CITRIS cross-disciplinary scientific model and Stanford University s innovation network MediaX have interested the Finnish universities. The development of the Finnish innovation centre in California has been influenced partly by discussions during the FENIX trips. Working seminars in Finland have been arranged by FENIX in which the sessions presented the research projects. Also, Tekes personnel working in San Jose have arranged networking seminars on the university campus where the main goals of 16

23 the technology programme were presented to the American research partners. Finnish/Chinese co-operation Also closely linked to the FENIX programme s areas of focus has been the FinChi-based work toward an agreement between Finnish and Chinese partners in the development area of knowledge creation and Information Society services mass testing. B-Star a national test bed for telecoms technology and broadband services supported by the Chinese Science and Technology Ministry and the Shanghai Government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Dimes Association and Forum Virium Helsinki to create new interactive services for Finnish and Chinese customers. The objective of the co-operation is the creation and testing of infrastructure and services for the future Information Society, at the same time enhancing Finnish/Chinese practical joint venture research and business development. The partnership with B-Star provides the Finnish actors with a superb opportunity for testing new ICT services and technologies as well as creating entirely new markets. Other major demonstrations and events of the FENIX technology programme were the signing of the Finnish game development cluster Neogames to be one of the founders of the European games development cluster in Paris, in 2006; the Finnish/Korean games development agreement in 2005 for development of gaming and virtual communities in cyberspace; the feasibility study negotiations concerning creative industry development involving New Zealand and Finland addressing new ways to work in a tele-immersive environment in the creative industry; the FinnONTO project and the French/Finnish Semantic Web demonstration at the Louvre Palace in Paris in 2005, along with the presentation on the cultural heritage Semantic Web Digital Semantic Content across Cultures ; Figure 10. Finnish delegation signing a memorandum in Shanghai in December