Brittany is known for its beautiful scenery, delicious cuisine and storied history. However, it’s also home to a diverse mix of industries, including agribusiness, telecoms, automotive and naval construction.

In 2019, InterDigital opened its largest research facility in Rennes, the capital of Brittany, through the acquisition of Technicolor’s research and innovation business and became a part of the region’s 21st-century economy. The company’s engineers in Rennes are all part of InterDigital’s Video Lab and produce 100% of their innovations and associated patents – around 400 every year – onsite. The state-of-the-art facility’s benefits extend to local students and researchers at the University of Rennes 1 and the French Research Institute for Computer Science and Automation (INRIA), who partner with InterDigital engineers on cutting-edge technologies and methodologies in wireless, video and artificial intelligence.

As just one example of the facility’s contribution to the region, InterDigital partnered with INRIA to launch the Nemo.AI Common Lab in 2022. The public-private partnership is dedicated to developing new technologies that enable engagement in the metaverse. The lab employs local researchers, PhDs, post-doctoral students, engineers and interns to work on priority topics, with InterDigital and INRIA scientists and engineers serving as research mentors and tutors. Their collaboration is showcased through joint participation in internal seminars, high-level conferences and trade shows, as well as cooperation on journal articles.   

In light of these strong connections to the region, InterDigital applied for – and in 2025, was awarded – official ‘Made in Brittany’ accreditation, which recognises companies that are heavily invested in the region and that contribute to Brittany’s worldwide visibility. According to Lionel Oisel, Head of Video Labs, Research & Innovation, InterDigital:

‘InterDigital is proud of its Breton roots, and we’re delighted to receive this “Made in Brittany” accreditation. We especially appreciate the recognition of the highly skilled roles we’ve created and kept in the region. With a strong engineering community and excellent universities and research institutions, Brittany has developed into an outstanding hub for innovation.’ 

The company will continue collaborating with local talent from Brittany to push the boundaries of what can be done with immersive technologies, augmented reality, energy-efficient displays and video compression standards.