INTERSTRESS

A three-day event, from September 27-29, brought together 6000 participants from all over Europe, including businessmen, researchers and policymakers. The “ICT 2010-Digitally Driven” conference and exhibition housed more than 100 groundbreaking information and communication technology (ICT) research projects funded by the European Commission. This event is organized by the European Commission every two years, and this year was hosted by the Belgian Presidency of the EU’s Council of Ministers, being honored with an appearance by Prince Phillipe of Belgium. The European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Marie Georghegan-Quinn said she particularly welcomes the exhibition during the event, for it showcases “the biggest success stories among the projects funded under the 7^th Framework Programme in the ICT sector.”

The major themes at the conference were digital solution for sustainable growth in a low carbon economy and the role of ICT in the life of citizens, as well as public participation and support. Vice President of the European Commission, Neelie Kroes, called for cooperation and collaboration, by saying, “We can do much more together”. In keeping with the theme of cooperation, Prime Minister of Belgium Yves Leterme emphasized the importance of intensifying cooperation at the European level as well, needing to act as a union, towards the EU 2020 target. This new strategy, the EU 2020, is a concrete way to leave the global crisis behind and turn the European Union into a “smart, sustainable and inclusive economy”, which will deliver productivity, social cohesion and employment. These challenges require a common and coordinated response.

Alongside this are calls for raising ICT research and innovation to help increase quality of life and overcome social challenges, as well as improve healthcare. Christian Reinaud, CEO of Agfa-Gevaert NV, Belgium, said that ICT is a key tool to improving the efficiency of healthcare systems in Europe.

With around 25-35% of the exhibits focusing on healthcare, it shows that indeed ICT is crucial for the future of medicine. These health-focused exhibits ranged from supporting independent living and offering companionship, to catering to the elderly, battling cognitive decline, controlling and treating seizures, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, epilepsy, and to easing life for the paralyzed.

Some concrete examples include: TOBI, practical technology for brain-computer interaction (BCI) aimed at improving the quality of life of disabled people; PRESENCCIA, dedicated to the understanding of brain mechanisms underlying presence in virtual and mixed reality environments through neuroscience, psychology computer science, and engineering; OLDES, a system which collects and transmits information from the patient’s own home to hospitals and physicians; Playmancer, which uses 3-D computer games to combat the negative effects of mental disorders and offer virtual therapy; and the Vesalius Robot, a surgical robot which aims to improve the safety of interventional surgery; and the STREAM (scaled teleoperation for robust enhanced microsurgery) project on robotic microsurgery.

This great number of healthcare-focused exhibits shows that people are not only aware of the limits of today’s healthcare systems, but they are equally aware of tomorrow’s possibilities, and equally willing to embrace the opportunities of ICT.