Douglas Alexander, E-commerce Minister, has announced a £40 million research initiative into new technologies that will pioneer devices such as remote home security services, intelligent fridges, and digital shopping assistants.
The vIRC (virtual Interdisciplinary Research Centre) is a coalition of cutting-edge companies, high-tech businesses, and innovative universities, hopes bring organisations together to conduct and share research.

Projects will examine how the very latest in innovation and technology can benefit consumers and test the mass-market appeal of new products. The virtual research centre will also examine security and privacy issues.

Mr Alexander comments: "We already have the technology and expertise. What this centre will do is test the business potential of employing that technology, allowing the UK to maintain its strong lead in high-tech industries.

"The programme will bring us closer to mass-market products and services with the potential to improve home security, cut energy consumption and improve quality of life."

Members of the vIRC were selected following a bidding process and include household names such as Hotpoint, Dyson, Siemens and IBM; universities include Cambridge, Warwick, Nottingham, Surrey and Kings College London. The centre will also have representation from a number of trade associations and umbrella organisations, such as AIM UK and BEAMA.

For further information and a complete list of participants visit the vIRC website at www.nwtm.org.

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