Electronics in the home entertains us with an ever wider choice of multimedia devices, while the Internet and new mobile communications ensure we can always be in contact wherever we are. More powerful computers, cheaper storage devices and new wireless technologies are providing us with an ever widening range of services – from home banking and security to more effective environmental controls and better health care.
And work in this area is enabling the development of so-called ‘ambient intelligence’ with environments that are sensitive and responsive to the presence and needs of people, such as:
A house which regulates lighting, heating/cooling and background music in every room according to the preference of individual members of the family;
A car that will accept directions and provide information in a natural language; or
A personal medical assistant that will monitor health conditions, and give advice or automatically warn medical services in an emergency.
Such intelligence requires embedded devices that are context aware, personalised, adaptive and anticipatory.
Information and communication technologies (ICT) are transforming the way we live, learn and play, with ICT hardware and software costs now representing more than one-quarter of our total expenses on services. And electronics equipment including safety, engine control and anti-pollution systems represents around 20% of the direct production cost of a family car, and even more for high-end vehicles.
The worldwide electronics industry now generates more added value than any other manufacturing sector. An annual market in excess of €800 billion means it is bigger even than the global automotive industry. Microelectronics manufacturers and related equipment and materials suppliers represent nearly 1% of global GDP with an average annual growth rate of 15%. And the many industries that depend on electronics – such as telecommunications, transportation, Internet services, consumer products, security and aerospace – have an overall weight several times higher at an estimated €5,000 billion.
Electronics now accounts for some 30% of overall industrial investment; in 1960 this figure was less than 5%. It is playing a vital role in the transformation of our society, with access to the Internet, mobility and e-commerce contributing to removing social and cultural barriers and to bringing every citizen into the information age, with direct benefits to welfare and the environment.
Such intelligence requires embedded devices that are context aware, personalised, adaptive and anticipatory. 
The worldwide electronics industry now generates more added value than any other manufacturing sector. An annual market in excess of €800 billion means it is bigger even than the global automotive industry. Microelectronics manufacturers and related equipment and materials suppliers represent nearly 1% of global GDP with an average annual growth rate of 15%. And the many industries that depend on electronics – such as telecommunications, transportation, Internet services, consumer products, security and aerospace – have an overall weight several times higher at an estimated €5,000 billion. 