• Published on 25 Feb 2013
• About ARTEMIS

Heinrich Daembkens: an introduction

 Professor Heinrich Daembkes, Vice President in Engineering, EADS Germany has been elected as new president of ARTEMIS Industry Association. Since Prof. Daembkes has been a major driver for the more efficient development of high quality and safe embedded software in a range of sectors – ARTEMIS will be in the driver-seat of R&D to improve European competitiveness. We believe a proper introduction is in order! We asked Prof. Daembkes to answer a couple of questions about him, his vision and the future!
 

What is your background?

I started my career at the the technical University in Aachen and then at University of Duisburg, Germany, working on Semiconductor Technologies and Techniques – followed by various positions at Daimler research Germany, starting under AEG Research. My first position with EADS was in 1996 - as President and CEO / PDG of United Monolithic Semiconductors SAS, Orsay, France (a 50:50 Joint Venture EADS – Thales). Later as Vice President, Head of Engineering EADS Defence Electronics, EADS Deutschland GmbH,  I was responsible for systems design, software and hardware development, integration and test. In the last function as Vice President, Head of Systems & Software Engineering CASSIDIAN, EADS Deutschland GmbH I was responsible for the domains radars, electronic warfare, multi-sensor integration, mission avionics and avionics equipment – with special task: autonomous systems.

My areas of competence are in the domain of  development of avionics equipment, Radar & EW systems,  HF-systems & technologies, optoelectronic systems, semiconductor technologies, processes for engineering in general and  for Systems Engineering and  for Software development, especially.  Relevant for ARTMIS is also my new activity in the domain of sensor based  autonomous systems. In addition of these competences, my experience as member of ARTEMIS Steering Board as from the start-up in 2007 – make all important ingredients  for the challenging  position of President of ARTEMIS Industry Association

The Steering Board of ARTEMISIA Association has elected you as the successor of Dr. Klaus Grimm who had announced his intention to step down because of his retirement. How do you feel about this new challenge?

“ARTEMIS is a proven concept for R&D actors in Embedded Systems. The Industry Association represents an influential network of more than 200 members from all over Europe – facing now the next step. At the moment we are in the middle of promoting a follow-up programme and having discussions with the Commission, key-members of the European Parliament and Member States. This is a very interesting phase because it gives us the opportunity to benefit from the experience of the processes of the last 6 years and improve them where required. For me, this is a fascinating challenge and an honour.”

You said that you have much interest in the approach of ARTEMIS Industry Association, which is a combined effort with companies, research institutes, and small and medium-sized enterprises, together with the EU and national public funding authorities. Why is that?

“Other programmes do not have this combined effort defined by all the stakeholders”. “In ARTEMIS, we have a common strategic research agenda, developed using both a top-down and a bottom-up approach, integrating all important stakeholders in a combined effort. This way, ARTEMIS is bringing together the best of available resources specifically on embedded systems, to achieve the focus needed to make a difference.”

What is your vision and mission regarding ARTEMIS?

" We need to go the next steps to drive and support the growing importance of the Embedded Systems.  A very good and catchy expression for the next phase is the name of Cyber Physical Systems. It takes into account the connection between hardware and software, reflecting especially the increasing role of intelligent systems extending beyond bare control functions, emphasizing the ability to communicate, thus creating additional new values for the overall system.  We need to generate roadmaps with clear milestone to push these technologies and to make them available very quickly and in a useable format for the benefit of our industries, creating competitive advantages for our economy and society. Part of that vision will be the closer cooperation with other ETPs, such as ENIAC and EPoSS, most probably under one common roof, making best use of the synergies and common interests."

What message would you like to give to ARTEMIS Members and Public authorities for the future?

Embedded Systems and Cyber physical Systems (CPS) are increasingly dominant in determining the performance of new systems. They are needed in all areas of societal relevance and therefore extremely influencial for the competitiveness of European Industry, directly impacting  all ranges of our daily life. Today we are in a very good position and leading the technology in several domains. Let's strive for keeping our leadership and stay ahead of our competition. We will be able to do this in a joint effort between European and national efforts, involving the entire chain from research in key enabling technologies through SMEs and their entrepreneurial role up to large enterprises who are able to do the required investments and efforts for the new challenges. ARTEMIS is a very well proven instrument to enable the cooperation of all these valuable partners.