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At present, what we call "ubiquitous computing" or "pervasive computing" has become a topic of conversation not just in Japan, but worldwide.
This is something in which we build societal systems by inserting very small computer chips into all sorts of things, link them together via a network, and make them mutually exchange data. This is exactly the same as the Highly Functional Distributed System that we have advanced research on under the title "Computing Everywhere" in the TRON Project from close to 20 years ago. That has finally reached a phase today in which it can be materialized as something real following progress in hardware technology.
In the TRON Project, as a compilation of embedded system and security system research of close to 20 years, last year we launched the T-Engine project to construct a development platform for ubiquitous computing environments, and in June of this year we established the "T-Engine Forum" as an organization for promoting it. Thanks to everyone involved, the T-Engine Forum was inaugurated by initially obtaining the cooperation of 22 companies. We are obtaining the cooperation of many other companies with such vigor that the member companies will approach close to 100 firms by the end of fiscal year 2002. This is not just domestic firms; European and American firms are also expressing a desire to participate.
T-Engine is an open development platform for embedded system development. With freedom to use whatever CPU, it aims at the making the distribution of various types middleware perfect on the basis of control by
T-Kernel and T-Monitor. Furthermore, as new information infrastructure for the age of "Computing Everywhere," it is loaded with the "eTRON" architecture that possesses very strong security, which makes it possible to safely transfer information and privileges even across information communication routes with weak security, such as the Internet.
Already, the T-Engine project is abruptly drawing interest as close to 10 types of T-Engine boards have been released on a commercial base, many appliances such information terminals and IP telephones for ubiquitous networks have also been offered, and lots of middleware has also begun to be distributed. At this year's TRONSHOW, we will introduce the latest results at present centering on this T-Engine, and we would you to gain an understanding of how efficient a tool T-Engine is for developing such things as cell-phones, portable information devices, and information appliances.
In addition, as we do every year, we will also be holding together with this show the TRON Enableware Symposium "TEPS 2003," which considers support for the handicapped with computers, under the theme of "Ubiquitous Computing and Enableware."
Finally, in holding these events, I would like to thank Aplix Corporation; eSOL Co., Ltd.; NTT Data Corporation; Sato Corporation; the T-Engine Forum; Toshiba Corporation; Personal Media Corporation; Hitachi, Ltd.; PIN Change Co., Ltd.; Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; Yazaki Corporation; and Yokosuka Telecom Research Park Co., Ltd., which have always supported the TRON Project and have provided special sponsoring on this occasion. I would also like to express my thanks to the various companies that are exhibiting products at the show.
Ken Sakamura
Chairman
Executive Committee
TRON Project Symposium
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