Sci/tech

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.

About two thousand ASML employees held a walkout to protest against planned layoffs and a lack of transparency from management. Union leaders and international staff expressed deep concerns over increased workloads and the specific residency challenges facing the expat community. The scale of the protest is intended to pressure the company into reconsidering its current reorganisation strategy.

The police briefly stated that passwords may have been stolen in the Odido hack, despite Odido confirming that login details were not compromised. The claim was removed after the company contacted the police. The police have not yet responded publicly about the correction.

European email services are gaining popularity as secure alternatives to traditional providers like Gmail. These companies, based in countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland, offer encrypted communication and strict data protection. Users can choose from various plans that prioritise either personal privacy or professional productivity.