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The iNEMI roadmap is the foundation of all iNEMI activities, but its usefulness extends far beyond the consortium and its members. It is recognized as an important tool for defining the “state of the art” in the electronics industry as well as identifying emerging and disruptive technologies. It tracks major trends in the evolution of technology across numerous disciplines and identifies critical technology and infrastructure gaps (figure 1). It is used by industry, government funding agencies and university research programs to help prioritize R&D efforts for the greatestreturn on investment.  Many of the leading roadmaps produced within the electronics industry focus on a single technology area. For example, the ITRS (International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors) tracks semiconductor technology while the IPC roadmap focuses on interconnects. The iNEMI roadmap focuses on the manufacturing technologies required to produce tomorrow’s electronic products. It, therefore, provides a systems perspective, looking at multiple technology and infrastructure areas as well as product sectors. The consortium coordinates with other roadmapping organizations to synchronize timelines, agree on and refine product sector definitions, identify common elements, facilitate cross-functional groups, andcoordinate roadmapping schedules. ------------------------------------------------------------ Technology roadmaps:an overview Technology roadmaps provide information to help organizations—corporations, government agencies and university R&D programs—make better technology investment decisions. They do this by determining which technologies are critical, identifying where technology gaps exist, and pinpointing ways to leverage R&D investments. Corporate roadmaps are developed to defi ne business and/or marketing strategies to support a specifi c company’s business goals. These roadmaps may focus on technology or products, and they drive new product introduction, manufacturing supply line requirements and activities such as R&D and standards development. Industry roadmaps take broader, and often more longterm, views of technology. Developed by many companies within an industry, these roadmaps typically represent the collective viewpoint of the full supply chain. They identify needs, defi ne goals and objectives to support necessary technology development, and provide a common vision of critical infrastructure requirements (e.g., equipment and materials). The collaborative aspect of industry roadmaps helps individual companies reduce risk and leverage their resources. Companies gain insights for evaluating future technology opportunities and this information can be integrated into an organization’s own roadmap to help determine which technology alternatives to pursue, how quickly a technology is needed, or when there is a need to coordinate the development of multiple technologies. ------------------------------------------------------------ Roadmap developmentEfforts are organized into Product Emulator Groups (PEGs) and Technology Working Groups (TWGs). The PEGs, each chaired by a major OEM in the specific sector covered, define the future technology needs of “virtual products” from five areas: 1) automotive, 2) consumer/ portable, 3) medical 4) netcom (network, datacom and telecom) and 5) office/large business systems. Each PEG chapter forecasts future product attributes, including cost and density drivers. The iNEMI roadmap is needs-based (as opposed to technology-driven). It defines product needs and then identifies potential technology solutions. The consortium solicits input from industry experts representing all aspects of the global electronics manufacturing supply chain. For example, the 2007 iNEMI Roadmap involved more than 500 individuals from 265 organizations located in 17 countrieson four continents. The TWGs forecast trends for numerous technology and infrastructure areas, and contrast those trends with anticipated product needs. Composed of experts from OEMs, EMS providers, suppliers, government agencies, universities and related consortia/trade associations, the TWGs predict the evolution of technology and/or business practices, identify gaps and “showstoppers” in existing technology and infrastructure, and developrecommendations for their respective areas. ------------------------------------------------------------ The 2007 roadmap: Highlights The 2007 iNEMI roadmap included 24 chapters and more than 1300 pages of information. Each chapter is a roadmap for a specific product sector, technology, or infrastructure area. Following are afew high-level highlights. • Organic and printed electronics This emerging technology was included for the first time in the 2007 roadmap, providing an overview of the most critical technologies necessary for commercial launch and market diffusion of organic and printed electronicsbased products. Printed electronics use graphic arts-like printing processes to fabricate electronic components. Taking advantage of new functional electronic inks, this novel approach to electronics manufacturing has the potential to dramatically reduce cost and complexity while significantly increasing throughput. For applications that don’t require the speed and density of today’s silicon-based technologies, the potential benefits are significant and could help develop totally new markets for electronics. Flexible displays, lighting, sensors, RFID and smart packaging are some of theproducts that show early promise for printed electronics. • Market convergence As electronic products become more ubiquitous in society, the lines between product sectors continue to blur. This convergence of market segments puts increasing demands on performance, cost and harmonization of interface standards. For example, consumer products are now finding their way into automobiles and medical applications where specifications have traditionally beenquite different. • Miniaturization Portability remains a key driver of technology as the need for miniaturization demands breakthroughs in materials properties, packaging and assembly technologies. Since these applications can lead to significant volumes, the supply base is motivated to The TWGs forecast trends for numerous technology and infrastructure areas, and contrast those trends with anticipated product needs. Composed of experts from OEMs, EMS providers, suppliers, government agencies, universities and related consortia/trade associations, the TWGs predict the evolution of technology and/or business practices, identify gaps and “showstoppers” in existing technology and infrastructure, and develop recommendations for their respective areas. The 2007 roadmap: Highlights invest in these areas while other segments are less able to attract investment to meet their specific performanceand reliability requirements.  • Migration The migration of capabilities is continuing and includes not only manufacturing functions but also R&D. This migration facilitates the development of emerging markets and can provide solutions that are fast to market due to better understanding of local needs. This trend also impacts the role of the developed regions as they take on more of a manufacturing/design integrationfunction (at least for some segments). • Environmental harmonization Proliferation of environmental requirements continues around the globe. Unfortunately, harmonization of the myriad requirements remains a significant challenge for industry. The industry is showing increased interest in developing science-based environmental solutions in advance of new regulations so that the end results can be achieved with lower risk and greater predictability. While consumer electronics have made a full conversion to lead free, the high reliability sectors must address a number of knowledge gaps before conversioncan be undertaken. ------------------------------------------------------------ The 2009 roadmap The 2009 iNEMI roadmap (which is currently in development) covers 22 technology and business process topics; contrasting trends with anticipated product needs (Table 1). Each chapter is developed by a group of experts from OEMs, EMS providers, suppliers, government agencies, universities and related consortia/trade associations. New in this roadmap are sections on solid state illumination, RFID item-level tag, and photovoltaics.  In this roadmap cycle, the consortium is proactively soliciting global input to the roadmap by holding workshops in North America, Europe and Asia. These workshops give the industry an advance look at the roadmap as the various TWGs report on conclusions and projections made to date. At the same time, the TWGs are able to get valuable feedback from industry and to make mid-course corrections, if necessary, to improve final roadmap projections. The 2009 iNEMI roadmap will be available to members in December this year and to non-members in March 2009.EM Workshop
iNEMI is holding an all-day roadmap workshop on 28 July at the Riverfront Business
Hotel in Shanghai. This meeting is being held in conjunction with the ICEPT/HDP
conference and is open to non-members. For further details, go to http://www.inemi.
org/cms/calendar/2009_RM_workshop_Asia.html
About the Author
Dr Haley Fu is iNEMI Manager of Operations-Asia and is located in Shanghai. She
can be contacted at haley.fu@inemi.orgz | 
