Intel Corporation today announced the opening of the Intel Open Lab Munich, Germany. This first of two European innovation hubs was created to foster cooperation between Intel, industry and academia through joint research and innovation programs. The lab’s mission is to enhance synergies between research and innovation that can be converted into commercial opportunities, strengthening existing businesses and creating new ones. The Intel Open Lab Munich is part of the recently announced Intel Labs Europe (ILE).

In order to grow Europe’s knowledge-based economy and boost its competitiveness it is important to enhance education, research and innovation. As an industry leader in silicon technology, Intel depends on constant innovation which no longer belongs to a single company, country or region. Intensifying research collaborations with European industry and academia will both improve Europe’s and Intel’s competitiveness.

Many industry sectors use information and communications technology (ICT) as a foundation for the development and implementation of their ideas for commercial uses. ICT innovations such as the internet and pervasive wireless networks have and will continue to lead to world-changing services and products. The challenge is that the next innovative service or usage model built on these technologies may come from companies never heard of, from industries that haven’t been invented yet or from places least expected.

The Intel Open Lab in Munich is designed to help discover and foster ideas that are built on and around ICT. Whether the resulting Research and Development activities are then carried out by Intel Labs Europe or in joint research programs with industry and academia, the goal is to grow Research and Development in Europe over time.

 “Intel’s commitment to drive European research from Munich underlines the fact that Bavaria is the number one high-tech state in Europe. Many international companies, elite universities and new high technology and state-of-the-art technology firms create an ideal environment for innovation” said Horst Seehofer, Prime Minister State Bavaria

The Intel Open Lab Munich will work in close cooperation with its sister lab in Leixlip, Ireland. Both labs are part of ILE, which was launched in January 2009 and is lead by Prof. Dr. Martin Curley. The Intel Open Labs in Munich and Leixlip will coordinate more than 800 professionals in 18 labs and activities across the Intel Research and Development network in the European Union. ILE aims to advance Intel Architecture research and innovation and to partner with European stakeholders to improve European competitiveness in the knowledge economy. The ILE research agenda, “From Sand to Circuits to Society” strengthens Intel’s traditional areas of research and extends innovation into new markets, such as services.

“Fostering innovation, driving research and improving education is on top of Intel’s agenda. This should also be the model for economies at large and be the focus of what we do when we talk about finding ways out of the current crisis” said Craig Barrett, Intel chairman.