Tokyo/College Park, February 26, 2001---Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. and its Sunnyvale, Calif.-based subsidiary, Fujitsu Laboratories of America, today announced that they will establish a new research institute for advanced computer technology on April 1 in College Park, Maryland. The new research institute, which will be located near the campus of the University of Maryland and will engage in cooperative activity with University researchers, will focus on pervasive computing(*1), wireless computing, network security, bio-informatics, quantum computing(*2) and other innovative technologies aimed at advancing the evolution of the Internet and developing computers more closely linked to people's everyday lives.
Background
The capabilities of computers have made major strides in the 20th century and transformed our world into an information-based society. In particular, the astonishingly rapid growth of the Internet in recent years has given rise to a virtual world of electronic money and electronic commerce. Although computers have become ubiquitous, research on technology to more seamlessly link the real world and the virtual worlds created by computers has been lagging, and problems and imbalances in such areas as computer literacy, intellectual property rights and security are becoming more prevalent.
In order to solve these problems, it will be essential to give computers communication capabilities beyond those that they currently have, so people can use the same computer environment whether they are at home, in the office or on the move. It will also be necessary to develop next-generation computer use environments that enable computers to support various aspects of people's daily lives without the user having to be concerned with or even be aware of the computer system itself.
Research Activities
With the need to link computers even more closely to the real world a top priority, researchers at Fujitsu's research institute in College Park will focus on developing computers and networks closely associated with daily human activities. This includes research in pervasive computing and other computer technologies that support various aspects of daily life. In addition, researchers will work to develop information systems that perform a variety of personal services, including determining a person's location and circumstances through the wireless exchange of information and location data by means of PDAs, cellular phones, different types of sensors, and installed devices.
To encourage broad adoption of its research results, Fujitsu will cooperate with the University of Maryland and other universities and research organizations to construct test environments and carry out specific field experiments. Among the potential applications being considered are regional information services, travel information, medical services, and disaster relief services. Furthermore, Fujitsu plans to use the institute as the venue for a series of advanced research projects in such areas as: network security, which is needed to ensure the acceptance of the Internet as a societal infrastructure; bio-informatics, which will contribute to the development and spread of gene therapy, and quantum computing, which can overcome limitations on component miniaturization.
"It is with great excitement and sense of purpose that we announce our plans to complement our existing US research facility on the West Coast by establishing a new research institute at College Park," said Michio Fujisaki, president of Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. "I believe that our efforts there, and our close ties with researchers at the University of Maryland, one of America's leading computer technology research institutions, will help us create new computers that will truly enrich people's lives in the 21st century."
Fujitsu decided to develop its new research center in the Greater Washington area because of the region's rising prominence as a leading technology hub. The College Park location also provides Fujitsu access to high quality research from the numerous colleges and universities in the area.
"The founding of Fujitsu's research institute in College Park is an important step in the university's research park development plan," said C.D. Mote Jr., president of the University of Maryland. "We are especially pleased that this information technology giant recognizes the importance of locating next to the University of Maryland to its future. We look forward to a working partnership with the institute that will enhance all our contributions to the state and the region."
"The state of Maryland is fortunate to have leading research institutions, such as College Park, which stimulate exciting new collaborations with the private sector while helping produce some of the most technically savvy graduates in the nation," said David Iannucci, Maryland Secretary of Business and Economic Development. "By establishing its new research institute here, Fujitsu both recognizes the state's information technology strengths and is helping solidify our reputation as an important technology center for years to come."
Fujitsu's College Park Research Institute at a Glance
General Manager : Dr. Kazuhiro Matsuo (Vice President, Fujitsu Laboratories of America)
Employees: 40 (30 researcher personnel) as of the end of 2004*
Annual Budget: $10 million as of the end of 2004*
Location: College Park, Maryland
Date of establishment: April 1, 2001
* Projected. The Institute will start its first year with 9 employees and a budget of about $3.5 million; pervasive computing will be the initial research theme.
Terminology
(*1) Pervasive computing: A further evolution of PDAs and other mobile devices, this refers to information systems that offer two-way communication and position awareness. Position tracking is expected to enable a wide range of applications, including services suited for specific locations. Pervasive computing is built around position tracking and ad hoc network technology, but reliable security technology, including privacy protection, will need to be put in place.
(*2) Quantum computing: Computers and computation methods that are based not on ones and zeros but on continuous quantum states. This technology, in which the logic elements are miniaturized down to the size of single atoms, will be a key focus of attention in research circles in the 21st century. Fujitsu has already begun working on this technology at its Nanotechnology Research Center in Japan.
* All company/product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are used for identification purposes only.
About Fujitsu
Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) is a leading provider of Internet- based information technology solutions for the global marketplace. Comprising over 500 group companies and affiliates worldwide -- including ICL, Amdahl and DMR Consulting -- it had consolidated revenues of 5.26 trillion yen ($49.6 billion) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000. Fujitsu's pace-setting technologies, world-class computing and telecommunications platforms, and global corps of over 60,000 systems and services experts make it uniquely positioned to unleash the infinite possibilities of the Internet to help its customers succeed. Altogether, the Fujitsu Group has 188,000 employees and operations in over 100 countries.
Internet: http://www.fujitsu.com/
About Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd
Founded in 1968 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Laboratories Limited is one of the premier research centers in the world. With eight laboratories in Japan, one in China and soon to be two in the United States, the organization conducts a wide range of basic and applied research in the areas of Multimedia, Personal Systems, Networks, Peripherals, Advanced Materials and Electronic Devices.
About the University of Maryland
The University of Maryland, College Park, is the only major public research university in the Middle Atlantic Region. Ranked as one of the top 25 public universities in the nation, Maryland is especially noted for its academic and research programs in computer science, electrical engineering and technology business, as well as its critical role in economic development through technology transfer and partnerships with government, business and industry.
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Dr. Hung Lai
Vice President, Planning & Coordination Dept.
Fujitsu Laboratories of America, Ltd.
Tel: 1-408-530-4500
E-mail: hlai@fla.fujitsu.com
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Minoru Sekiguchi, Scott Ikeda
Fujitsu Limited (Tokyo)
Tel: +81-3-3215-5236
Fax: +81-3-3216-9365
E-mail: pr@fujitsu.com
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Jack Hirano
Fujitsu Limited (New York)
Tel: 1-212-599-9800
Fax: 1-212-599-4129
E-mail: hirano@fai.fujitsu.com
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George Cathcart
University Communications
University of Maryland
Tel: 301-405-4621
E-mail: gcathcar@accmail.umd.ed
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