Sci/tech

VDL Groep has seen its profits bounce back despite a challenging year for the high-tech and automotive sectors. With a record-breaking order book and a new focus on the defence industry, the Eindhoven-based giant is preparing for a period of renewed growth.

The research institute Imec has received a groundbreaking new machine from ASML that will allow for the development of the world's smallest chips. This installation in Leuven aims to pioneer the next generation of hardware for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. Experts expect the system to be fully operational by the end of 2026.

With municipal elections taking place across the Netherlands, researchers and regulators are raising fresh concerns about AI-generated disinformation, biased voting chatbots, and foreign interference targeting local politics for the first time. The tactics are new, but the goal is familiar: to shape what voters see, feel, and ultimately decide. Whether this digital pressure changes the result remains to be seen, but the infrastructure behind it is already in place.

A new autonomous robot is helping nurses spend more time with patients by taking over delivery tasks in busy hospitals. The innovation has earned a nomination for a major national award, with the public now invited to vote for the winner.

A new Eindhoven factory will produce the world’s first industrial-scale photonic chips using 6-inch wafers. This €150 million project secures Europe’s lead in high-tech innovation. It will power future AI systems and 6G networks.

Veldhoven residents are invited to a public meeting on 12 March to explore how the town will heat its buildings in a post-gas era. Independent researchers will present potential energy scenarios for 2050 and gather local feedback for a final report on the town's sustainable future.

The Dutch Data Protection Authority is calling for urgent government action to regulate artificial intelligence and protect citizens from discrimination. The watchdog warns that current oversight is insufficient to manage risks such as deepfakes, fraud, and the impact of chatbots on young users.

A new partnership in Eindhoven is using AI and camera technology to monitor heart patients and predict potential complications. By identifying health trends early, the system aims to improve recovery times and free up hospital staff for direct patient care. The project includes strict privacy measures to ensure patients remain anonymous during the monitoring process.