On a test track in southern Germany, engineers watch as an automated vehicle drives through simulated heavy rain. As the vehicle pushes through sheets of water and poor visibility, researchers are recreating one of the toughest sensing challenges for automated driving. “Bad weather is one of the situations the car will face, and
Italian architect and researcher Dr Chiara Mazzarella has long been captivated by the idea of finding better ways to use empty buildings. Across Europe, millions of homes and commercial buildings lie vacant, even as housing shortages and rising rents leave many people in precarious living situations. “We talk a lot about the circular
Europe’s appetite for electronics keeps growing, but so does the waste. From smartphones and laptops to medical sensors, more devices mean mounting piles of discarded hardware. According to Eurostat, around 5 million tonnes of electronic waste is collected for recycling in the EU each year. That is more than 11 kilograms per household, enough
What if tomorrow’s super-fast, super-connected digital world could be shaped by public values – right from the start? Dr Monique Calisti, an Italian engineer, entrepreneur and researcher, is a leading voice in the drive to keep people at the centre of digital transformation. “I have three teenage daughters and I feel a big
Laura Pereira, University of the Witwatersrand New research has found that the world has reached the first of many Earth system tipping points. These will cause catastrophic harm unless humanity takes urgent action. A tipping point is a moment in the Earth’s climate system where even small changes can lead to significant, often
In a factory in Waregem, north-west Belgium, a unique piece of machinery accessible only by fingerprint to trusted staff, is transforming old clothing and textiles with the utmost precision, away from prying eyes. Stretching 170 metres, the machine gently untwists woven and knitted fibres, preparing them for reuse. These fibres are at the
At this year’s International Architecture Exhibition in Venice, a small square house set up in Giardino delle Vergini told a story of resilience and ingenuity, demonstrating how innovation does not have to mean huge investment. Created by the Swedish non-profit foundation BetterShelter, it has become a common sight in emergency situations worldwide – from
Europe’s most popular travel destinations are feeling the strain of their own success. From Paris to Dubrovnik, mass tourism brings overcrowding and pollution. Yet just beyond these hotspots lie regions eager to welcome visitors. EU-funded researchers believe they have found a way to channel tourism more sustainably. One such place is Trebinje, in
Michalis Genitsariotis, a former salesman turned olive grower from the northern Greek region of Halkidiki, is constantly learning in his “second life” as a farmer. Unlike many people with a traditional farming background, Michalis only turned to agriculture in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, at a time when many were pushed
The Maritsa Iztok Complex in southeastern Bulgaria stands as a relic of the past. Since the 1950s, its four thermal power stations have powered the region, relying on coal from three nearby open-pit mines. This type of mining is among the most environmentally damaging, and a long-overdue transition is now underway, promising to