The company today also announced the opening of a new Automotive Innovation and Product Development Center, to be based in Karlsruhe, Germany.

FORBES: Intel Capital Launches $100 Million Connected Car Fund

It also will serve as a virtual product development center, where female technologists can build on the ideas generated from the IWT's focus groups.

CNN: Who are the champions of women in technology?

Altman, executive vice president of research, innovation and product development at the Center for Creative Leadership ( www.ccl.org), and Sara N.

FORBES: Four Rules for Leading with Purpose

Today, it is particularly the consumer product companies that are putting customers at the center of innovation, involving them in product design and service development.

FORBES: Innovation Momentum

Do these niche market users deserve to have their needs put front and center when it comes to product development?

FORBES: The Next Generation Cane -- Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Seagate, a worldwide leader of innovative storage solutions, is a participant in the Verizon LTE Innovation Center and has been engaged with Verizon Wireless and its 4G LTE Innovation Center for two years of development for this product concept.

ENGADGET: Seagate crams Verizon 4G LTE into a battery-powered portable HDD; Thunderbolt GoFlex Adapter launches

The new facility is its largest center for cookie research and development in Asia, and its output will allow Kraft to create new product platforms tailored to suit local tastes.

FORBES: Retail