Nokia to work with two Swiss Federal Institutes of technology on research and open Nokia Research Laboratory in Lausanne, Switzerland

April 08, 2008 -  Espoo, Finland; Lausanne and Zurich, Switzerland - Nokia and the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in Lausanne and Zurich (EPFL and ETH Zurich) announced today the establishment of a joint long-term research program. Nokia Research Center will open a laboratory in Lausanne in June creating a vibrant community linking researchers from Nokia and the Institutes of Technology. This open model of collaboration has already been successful for Nokia Research Center elsewhere.
 
Nokia collaboration with the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zurich (ETH Zurich) will focus on helping people benefit from a world where they are connected to each other, to the Internet and also to information from the surrounding physical world. Access to the "Internet of Things" from a mobile device will allow people to collect information from their physical environment, filter it based on their location or preferences and share with their friends or communities.
 
The initial joint research agenda will focus on pervasive communications:
- Exploring new interaction experiences and technologies utilizing all the human senses;
- Services and applications based on the user's context, such as location, and personal preferences, e.g., information provided by sensors within a mobile device or in the surrounding world;
- Internet services and technologies - enriching the Internet experience on mobile devices.
 
"Nokia has already carried out a great deal of research in the field of pervasive communications, and sees the fusing of the digital and physical worlds as a key objective in mobility. We have chosen to work with the Swiss Institutes of Technology because of their expertise in this area," said Dr. Bob Iannucci, Nokia Chief Technology Officer and Head of Nokia Research Center."
 
Nokia Research Center collaborates with world-class universities and research institutes around the world, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University in the US and University of Cambridge, UK.
 
"This agreement with Nokia reinforces a very exciting cluster of high tech companies and research labs emerging on the EPFL campus," commented Prof. Dr. Martin Vetterli, EPFL Vice President for International Relations and an expert in communication systems. "Joining forces with ETH Zurich and Nokia is the start of a unique scientific and technological journey."
 
"ETH Zurich welcomes the joint research efforts of its strong partners, and views the collaboration as an opportunity to devise new and innovative solutions for what has become known as the internet of things," commented Prof. Dr. Peter Chen, Vice President for Research from ETH Zurich. Scientists from three different ETH Zurich departments (Computer Science; Management, Technology and Economics; and Information Technology and Electrical Engineering) will be involved.
 
The opening of the new laboratory will take place on the campus in Lausanne on the 5th of June 2008. The media will be welcome to attend the opening ceremony. 
 
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. We make a wide range of mobile devices with services and software that enable people to experience music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games, business mobility and more. Developing and growing our offering of consumer Internet services, as well as our enterprise solutions and software, is a key area of focus. We also provide equipment, solutions and services for communications networks through Nokia Siemens Networks.
 
About Nokia Research Center
Nokia Research Center (NRC) looks beyond Nokia's existing business and product development to challenge current strategies and to stimulate renewal in the company's direction. Working closely with all Nokia business units, NRC's research explores new frontiers in digital services, physical-digital connections, human interaction, data and content technologies, device architecture, and access and connectivity. NRC promotes open innovation by working on research projects in collaboration with universities and research institutes around the world.  For more information, see our website: http://research.nokia.com
 
About EPFL
EPFL, the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, is one of Switzerland's two Federal Institutes of Technology with ETH Zurich. Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, EPFL brings together a campus of 10,000 people and 110 nationalities. It offers complete study courses in Engineering, Basic Sciences, Architecture, Life science and Management. In addition to excellence in education and research, EPFL has a strong commitment to technology transfer. A start-up incubator, coaching services, study programs in entrepreneurship, and innovation programs all serve to stimulate the links between lab and business. The Science Park on campus is home to more than 100 enterprises and numerous investors.
 
About ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Zurich) has a student body of over 13,000 students from 80 nations. Nearly 360 professors teach mainly in engineering sciences and architecture, system-oriented sciences, mathematics and natural sciences, as well as carry out research that is highly valued worldwide. ETH Zurich applies for 80-100 patents per year, and directly supports the yearly founding of up to 20 spin-off companies. 2007 saw a record 21 spin-offs established. Distinguished by the successes of 21 Nobel laureates, ETH Zurich is committed to providing its students with unparalleled education and outstanding leadership skills.