Leuven, Belgium – May 25, 2011 – Imec today announced the establishment of imec India in Bangalore, Karnataka, making a first step towards the Indian market with the signing of an R&D partnership agreement with Wipro Technologies, the Global Information Technology, Consulting and Outsourcing business of Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT). Imec is a leading independent applied research organization that carries out research activities in semiconductor, nanotechnology and nanoelectronics, delivering industry relevant technology solutions.
Imec and Wipro have created a joint initiative to co-innovate and build next generation intelligent systems, called Applied Research in Intelligent Systems Engineering (ARISE). By bringing together an experienced team of system designers, user designers, process, software and system architects, this initiative aims to develop nanoelectronics and NEMS-(Nano Electro Mechanical Systems) based solutions for emerging markets like India.
The joint initiative will initially focus on developing intelligent systems based on next generation sensors, wireless and energy harvesting technologies for key industry verticals. The core team for the joint center being set up in Bangalore will draw specialist teams from Wipro and imec, with additional hiring from global talent pools across industry and academia, to create a team of highly qualified engineers/scientists.
The solutions will leverage imec’s heterogeneous semiconductor process integration platform – CMORE – that offers design, prototyping and low-volume production of systems-on-chip that can combine logic with mechanical, chemical or optical functions.
Emerging markets consisting of 80% of global population offers great opportunities for intelligent products to be designed ground up to address its unique needs. Nanoelectronics is the cornerstone to provide such products, addressing societal challenges like efficient and sustainable healthcare system, sustainable urbanization, and sustainable use of energy. Imec has an excellent track record of pioneering nanoelectronics technologies and providing solutions in global partnerships with leading companies. Wipro is a leader in bringing IT solutions and product design services to market. The partnership will leverage the technology capability of imec and Product Engineering and IT integration expertise of Wipro to build right solutions for emerging market.
“Our partnership with Wipro underlines our commitment towards providing solutions for emerging markets;” said Luc Van den hove, President and CEO imec. “I’m confident that Wipro’s product engineering expertise, industry vertical presence and understanding of the emerging markets will augment our research capability to develop cost-efficient products for many new markets including India.”
The Wipro-imec partnership is unique in bringing together a leading Research organization in nanotechnology and a system & software engineering leader. The R&D alliance is open to other players to participate and build system prototypes based on concurrent innovations in nanotechnology and system engineering, enabling novel applications for emerging markets. Rajesh Ram Mishra, Vice President, Wipro Technologies will head this joint initiative.
“This Wipro-imec initiative ‘ARISE’ will act as a bridge between industry, academia and research labs to bring in a combination of applied research, system & business design and product engineering capabilities under one roof to deliver highly affordable and sustainable solutions for emerging markets”, said T K Kurien, CEO, IT Business & Executive Director, Wipro Limited. “This further underlines our commitment towards solving emerging market challenges through future ready technologies. ARISE will also be a key enabler in reverse innovation of successful emerging market solutions to address the global need.”
About imec
Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Taiwan, US, China and Japan. Its staff of about 1,900 people includes over 550 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2010, imec’s revenue (P&L) was 285 million euro. Further information on imec can be found at www.imec.be.
Imec is a registered trademark for the activities of IMEC International (a legal entity set up under Belgian law as a “stichting van openbaar nut”), imec Belgium (IMEC vzw supported by the Flemish Government), imec the Netherlands (Stichting IMEC Nederland, part of Holst Centre which is supported by the Dutch Government),imec Taiwan (IMEC Taiwan Co.)and imec China (IMEC Microelectronics (Shangai) Co. Ltd.).
About Wipro Technologies
Wipro Technologies, the global IT business of Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT) is a leading Information Technology, Consulting and Outsourcing company, that delivers solutions to enable its clients do business better. Wipro Technologies delivers winning business outcomes through its deep industry experience and a 360 degree view of “Business through Technology” – helping clients create successful and adaptive businesses. A company recognized globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, a practitioner’s approach to delivering innovation and an organization wide commitment to sustainability, Wipro Technologies has 120,000 employees and clients across 54 countries.
