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Smart Devices: The CEA, France Telecom and STMicroelectronics Create MINATEC IDEAs Laboratory(R)

Posted on: Tuesday, 30 March 2004, 06:00 CST

GRENOBLE, France, March 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CEA, STMicroelectronics and the R&D center of France Telecom announced today the creation in Grenoble of a joint multidisciplinary laboratory that will study new consumer products and services based on advances in micro and nano-technologies. Called MINATEC IDEAs Laboratory, it encompasses all aspects of development from the initial conception to evaluation of consumer interest.

MINATEC IDEAs Laboratory(R) focuses on physical devices with embedded software that communicate with each other and interact with their environment. Already applied in mobile phones and portable computers, this technology is now moving into new applications in medicine, automobiles, clothing, leisure and household appliances.

The approach of the new laboratory, called "use-oriented design," is based on creativity sessions looking for new application ideas, on building operational prototypes and carrying out tests with users. It enables potential manufacturers to have the assurance that the proposed applications are worthwhile at a very early stage.

"We want to integrate the human aspect as early as possible, right from the design phase of the objects and services using micro and nanotechnologies," explains Michel Ida, director of the laboratory. "Our concept consists of checking their value of use and their acceptability by the users as soon as ideas are generated. It enables industrialists to invest in technology in a more pertinent manner."

To achieve this, MINATEC IDEAs Laboratory(R) calls on the most widely varied skills: electronics, biology or energy researchers rub shoulders on its premises with specialists in sociology, anthropology, ergonomics, marketing and so on. "We believe these fields are complementary," said Paolo Gonella- Pacchiotti, Marketing and Application Director of STMicroelectronics' Cellular Terminals Division. "The input of human sciences enables the laboratory to place people at the heart of the design process, by applying creativity methodologies and usage tests."

For Patrice Senn, in charge of the France Telecom R&D Smart Objects laboratory: "What we have here is a unique meeting place between industrialists and public laboratories. Everyone provides his technologies, skills and vision of the future to build up a real strategy for innovation in this field. A genuine 'ideas incubator', this laboratory will enable us to anticipate the next telecommunications services, propose new interactive modes (sensitive interfaces), explore future communication environments (car services, ambient intelligence) and improve the ergonomics of existing solutions. This partnership is in keeping with the innovation strategy of France Telecom in order to prepare the uses of tomorrow for the attention of all its customers."

In the forthcoming months, MINATEC IDEAs Laboratory(R) will be progressively integrating new industrial partners.

More information can be found on http://www.minatec.com/ideaslaboratory

About the CEA Grenoble

The CEA plays a major role in research, development and innovation in three main fields: energy, information and healthcare technologies, and defense. Set up on 9 centers located all over France, the CEA benefits from a strong regional insertion and solid partnerships with other research organizations, local authorities and universities.

A laboratory of the CEA in Grenoble, the Laboratory of electronics and information technologies (Leti) is at the leading edge of European research on microelectronics and microtechnologies. It employs more than 900 people. With its 110 patents filed per year and its 28 start-ups created or in the course of creation, it is one of the major partners of the industrial world. Instigator of the MINATEC micro and nanotechnologies innovation center project, the CEA Grenoble is also one of its main partners with the Grenoble National Polytechnic Institute (INPG) and the local authorities: the Rhone- Alps Region, the Isere Department General Council (proprietor of the center), the Urban District Council and the Town of Grenoble. MINATEC IDEAs Laboratory(R) is a registered trademark of the CEA. http://www.cea.fr/

About France Telecom

France Telecom is one of the world's leading telecommunications carriers, with 117.1 million customers on the five continents (220 countries and territories) and consolidated operating revenues of 46.1 billion euros for 2003. Through its major international brands, including Orange, Wanadoo, Equant and GlobeCast, France Telecom provides businesses, consumers and other carriers with a complete portfolio of solutions that spans local, long- distance and international telephony, wireless, Internet, multimedia, data, broadcast and cable TV services.

France Telecom is the second-largest wireless operator and Internet access provider in Europe, and a world leader in telecommunications solutions for multinational corporations. France Telecom is listed on the Paris and New York stock exchanges.

France Telecom R&D, a research and development center, provides innovation thrust for France Telecom and its subsidiaries, in France and abroad. Its role is to anticipate revolutions in technology and customer use, providing innovation to offer customers the best from telecommunications, simultaneously imagining today the technologies which will be part of their daily life tomorrow. France Telecom R&D's results have put the Group in the lead position in Europe in terms of telecommunications research and development. http://www.rd.francetelecom.fr/fr/medias/medias.php

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2003, the Company's net revenues were $7.24 billion and net earnings were $253 million. Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com/

STMicroelectronics

CONTACT: Patrick Cappe de Baillon of CEA, +33-4-38-78-37-02,patrick.cappedebaillon@cea.fr; Manuel Lesaicherre of France Telecom,+33-1-44-44-98-34, manuel.lesaicherre@francetelecom.com; Cyrille Gibot ofSTMicroelectronics, +33-1-58-07-77-85, cyrille.gibot@st.com, Maria GraziaPrestini, Director, Corporate Media Relations, +41-2-29-29-69-45,Fax: +41-2-29-29-69-50, mariagrazia.prestini@st.com, or Michael Markowitz,Director, U.S. Media Relations, +1-212-821-8959, Fax: +1-212-821-8922,michael.markowitz@st.com, both of STMicroelectronics Worldwide

Web site: http://www.st.com/http://www.rd.francetelecom.fr/http://www.cea.fr/http://www.minatec.com/

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