Technology News Era

The Netherlands-based Eleo is on a mission to accelerate the transition to a fossil-free future. How? Well, by providing high-tech batteries to the machines and vehicles most difficult to electrify. These mainly include industrial, off-highway machines in the construction, agricultural, and forestry sectors — but also cover electric mobility, ranging from cargo and last-mile delivery vehicles to vessels. Eleo started out as a student team at the Eindhoven University of Technology, and was founded in 2017. Since then it’s been designing and manufacturing in-house battery systems that boost a high level of performance and flexibility. Specifically, the startup offers modular… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/VBeadLS

Whether you suddenly find yourself out of a job, courtesy of the recent wave of tech layoffs sweeping through the sector, or feel like you’ve outgrown your current position and are looking for a new challenge, firing off a generic CV and hoping for the best isn’t going to cut it. In fact, according to online resume builder Zety, only 10% of job applications result in interviews, and job seekers need to send between 30-50 resumes to get hired. That means honing your application skills is essential if you want to stand out and secure an interview that will hopefully… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/jJxobOa

Tyre wear is a major contributor to polluting microplastics — small particles which don’t biodegrade and tend to accumulate in the environment, leaking harmful toxins into the air and our waterways. And although there’s no respective EU regulation yet, a London-based startup has developed a device that can capture these particles. The Tyre Collective started out as a master’s project by three former students of the Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art, who founded the startup in 2020. It claims to have developed the first-ever device that captures tyre pollution. The team discovered that tyre particles are… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/OSibe3T

This story is syndicated from the premium edition of PreSeed Now, a newsletter that digs into the product, market, and founder story of UK-founded startups so you can understand how they fit into what’s happening in the wider world and startup ecosystem. The reignited excitement around the potential of AI as we hurtle into 2023 brings with it concerns about how best to process all the data needed to make it work. This is far from a new challenge though, and next-generation AI chips are being developed in labs around the world to address the challenge in different ways. One… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/oFEMipH

We might think that the conception of robots, AI, and automated machines is a modern phenomenon, but, in fact, the idea had already appeared in Western literature nearly 3,000 years ago. Long before Isaac Asimov conceived the Laws of Robotics (1942) and John McCarthy coined the term “Artificial Intelligence” (1995), Ancient Greeks myths were full of stories about intelligent humanoids. The fact that these mythical humanoids meet the criteria of modern definitions on robotics and AI is impressive in itself. But what’s even more astonishing is that these old tales can provide us with valuable teachings and insights into our… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/QTmbzCN

Twitter has fallen out with yet another landlord: King Charles III. The Crown Estate, which manages the British monarch’s vast property portfolio, has sued Twitter over unpaid rent for office space in London. The complaint was filed last week at the High Court in Britain’s capital. The case joins a range of wranglings over rent engulfing Twitter. In December, the company had reportedly not paid rent on any of its global offices “for weeks.” Since then, landlords in San Francisco, Seattle, and London have all sued the bird app, while workers at a Twitter office in Singapore were briefly evicted… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Twitter from The Next Web https://ift.tt/FeU6EvG

French startup Eolink — in collaboration with 15 European energy partners — will install a 5MW floating offshore wind turbine in Bulgaria by 2025. This is part of the EU-backed Black Sea Floating Offshore Wind (BLOW) project, which aims to advance sustainable energy solutions. BLOW will use Eolink’s patented floating offshore wind turbine design, which the company claims solves existing industry issues by using four steel masts instead of one to spread the turbine’s stresses. This is said to make the overall structure more than 30% lighter. As per the startup, its turbines can produce 10% more energy by reducing… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/k8H2R4I

By 2027, Europe has the potential to fully rely on domestic production of battery cells, meeting its EV and energy storage demands without any Chinese imports. That’s according to the latest forecast by Transport & Environment (T&E), a campaign group, which analyzed a range of manufacturer reports and press releases. The European NGO further estimates that, in 2030, the companies with the largest battery cell production in the continent will be CATL, Northvolt, ACC, Freyr, and the Volkswagen Group. About two-thirds of Europe’s needs for cathodes — an integral battery part — could also be produced in-house, the report finds.… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/8aAE6TH

For tech startups, the most valuable assets are often invisible.  While businesses were traditionally built on physical resources, the contemporary economy is increasingly driven by intangibles. The chip firm Arm, for instance, earned a $40 billion valuation and a reputation as the UK’s leading tech company — despite never manufacturing a single chip. Instead, the company designs the processor architecture that’s used in countless devices. This intellectual property-based business model has transformed stock markets. In 1985, under a third of all assets in the S&P 500 were classed as intangible by 2020, that proportion had risen to around 90%. Startups,… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/5YHD0An

Netherlands-based solar EV maker Lightyear has announced that it’s freezing production of its flagship model, the Lightyear 0 — less than three months after going into production. As part of a “strategic restructuring,” the company will now focus on making the Lightyear 2, priced at around €40,000. This is expected to go into production in late 2025. The company’s journey has been a long and impressive one. From a student team at a solar vehicle competition, Lightyear transformed into a startup in 2016, and quickly mapped itself on the automotive map with the Lightyear 0. The solar EV featured some… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/ZbYFjRu

The road to TNW Conference 2023 has started! With only five months to go until Europe’s leading tech festival, TNW is touring several up-and-coming tech hubs across the Netherlands to uncover the best of Dutch tech ahead of its the flagship conference in June. First stop? Groningen. On Thursday, TNW’s event took place during the MXT 2023, in collaboration with Founded in Groningen and Founded in Friesland. This brought together startups, investors, corporates, and municipality representatives who shared how Dutch companies are enabling what’s next in tech in the Netherlands’ northern regions: Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe. Among Dutch startup tech… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/3CnAMoz

E-scooters in Paris have become a flashpoint for the industry in Europe and the city’s mayor, Anne Hidalgo, is going to put the question to the people. As reported by France 24, Hidalgo will allow Parisians to decide whether to allow e-scooter rentals to continue. The vote — expected to take place in April — means the three companies that operate in Paris will be kicking off a charm offensive to retain their place in a vital city for micromobility in Europe. Critically, the outcome of the vote and the fate of e-scooters in Paris could have a wide-reaching effect around… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/dwrWRIe

Tech is notorious for its bountiful and fun perks: think nap pods, or free food including catered meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as open access to healthy snacks. On-site gyms too, are a frequent perk as are endless branded swag gifts—that Patagonia fleece vest being a strong contender among male finance and tech workers. Throw in some arcade games, ping-pong tables, and free beers from the fridge for when your brain just needs a bit of a rest, and it’s easy to think tech workers have it all sewn up. Some perks are so off-the-wall they just… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/1u73v4O

From steam power and electricity to computers and the internet, technological advancements have always disrupted labor markets, pushing out some careers while creating others. Artificial intelligence remains something of a misnomer — the smartest computer systems still don’t actually know anything — but the technology has reached an inflection point where it’s poised to affect new classes of jobs: artists and knowledge workers. Specifically, the emergence of large language models – AI systems that are trained on vast amounts of text – means computers can now produce human-sounding written language and convert descriptive phrases into realistic images. The Conversation asked… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/RQ4C2hU

Plans to jail tech bosses over “harmful content” will endanger the UK’s tech sector and civil rights, campaigners have warned. The threat of prison emerged in the British government’s Online Safety Bill. Under new amendments to the legislation, senior managers at internet platforms could be jailed for failing to protect children from online harm. The revisions also mandate the removal of videos depicting illegal immigration “in a positive light.”   The changes follow pressure from politicians in the ruling Conservative party. The legislators had proposed introducing criminal liability for any breach of child safety duties, but the government has restricted this to… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/pyVmPOz

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, the EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen stressed the bloc’s need to boost its clean tech industry and increase its competitiveness against the US and China– amidst increasing trade tensions with both nations. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that the market for mass-manufactured clean energy tech will be worth around $650 billion a year by 2030 — three times more than today’s levels. And according to Von der Leyen, the targeted net-zero transformation is already causing tremendous industrial, economic, and geopolitical shifts — leaving the EU with a small window of… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/HdrhDE9

Picture this: a state-of-the-art community workspace within walking distance from home. A space you share with people not because you’re employed by the same company, but because of proximity. A professional atmosphere, but no office politics. Connection, wellness, and professional development are fostered through yoga classes, mentoring schemes and evening events, and an on-site daycare center supports parents of young children. The space is central to local life; reviving relationships and boosting businesses. Your community is reborn. This is coworking 2.0. For the remote work revolution to thrive, we need a viable alternative to the office — one that provides… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/6vCK5dZ

An Italian company has unveiled a novel method of measuring AI progress: analyzing improvements in machine translation. Translated, a provider of translation services, used the approach to predict when we will achieve singularity, a vague concept often defined as the point where machines become smarter than humans. The Rome-based business sets this milestone at the moment when AI provides “a perfect translation.” According to the new research, this arrives when machine translation (MT) is better than top human translations. Translated’s analysis suggests this will happen before the end of the 2020s. “[It will be] within this decade, at least for… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/wBkcnCP

The EU-funded Smart European Shipbuilding (SEUS) project launched this month, aiming to improve the shipbuilding process via computational tools. The launch arrives as the maritime industry’s increasingly embraces digitization and automation, facilitated by rapid advancements in data science and software development. SEUS is backed by a consortium of eight organizations from five European countries, representing different technologies and parts of the design and shipbuilding industry: computational tools development, industrially applied research, and end-users (i.e. shipyards). These partners will work together to create a framework for data-driven shipbuilding. According to the project’s description, this will be realized through the development of… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/kiYJwBz

Not, in fact, a fun sports perk offered by tech companies eager to keep up with the latest in compensation trends, “job boomeranging” is actually a rising workplace trend. In a nutshell, it’s when a former employee bounces back to a previous employer. The trend has been observed by experts such as Anthony C. Klotz, associate professor of management at UCL School of Management in London; Klotz is also responsible for coining the term, the “great resignation.” One trend complements the other. The great resignation cohort left their jobs in droves during the pandemic: 47 million US workers quit their… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/G0mfbP6

Optical fibers have become the foundation of modern data transmission, used for everything from telecoms and internet services to governmental and space applications. This is because they’re capable of transmitting larger amounts of data at faster speeds and over longer distances, compared to other technologies. The structure of optical fibers, however, can occasionally lead to network failures, as any twisted or bent cables can hinder the information transfer. To address this issue, scientists at the University of Bath in the UK have designed a new type of fiber, aiming to enhance the robustness of these networks. A regular optical fiber… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/5iftnF1

Quantum computing has immense potential but incredible complexities. While zealots claim it will cure cancer and save the planet, critics warn their promises are far from being fulfilled. One of their key challenges lies at the very heart of the field: ​​quantum bits, or “qubits.” These units of information are the quantum analog of binary bits in classical computers. To make quantum computers useful, the qubits have to be reliably controlled and manufactured at scale. It’s a requirement that still confounds the world’s leading computer scientists. The likes of IBM and Google made impressive strides by building qubits into their… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/P6y9OqX

Swedish company LKAB has discovered what’s claimed to be Europe’s biggest deposit of rare earth metals, promising a critical boost in the continent’s trade security and green transition. “Rare earths” are a group of 17 chemical elements composed of scandium, yttrium, and lanthanides. Contrary to their name, rare earths are actually abundant; their rarity stems from the complexity of their extraction, separation, and refining, which can generate toxic and radioactive waste, negatively impacting the environment. But despite their environmental hazards, they are crucial for the manufacture of numerous high-tech products. This ranges from household goods (TVs, computers, and smartphones) to… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/UNLpYzH

Religious wars have been a cornerstone in tech. Whether it’s debating about the pros and cons of different operating systems, cloud providers, or deep learning frameworks — a few beers in, the facts slide aside and people start fighting for their technology like it’s the holy grail. Just think about the endless talk about IDEs. Some people prefer VisualStudio, others use IntelliJ, again others use plain old editors like Vim. There’s a never-ending debate, half-ironic of course, about what your favorite text editor might say about your personality. Similar wars seem to be flaring up around PyTorch and TensorFlow. Both… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/31WZbA7

Finland clocked a 75% increase in wind power capacity last year, boosting the country’s renewable energy cred. According to the latest statistics from the Finnish Wind Power Association (FWPA), 2022 was a record time for green power. Specifically, 437 new wind turbines were put into operation, delivering a 2,430MW power capacity. What’s more, wind power covered 14.1% of the country’s electricity consumption, rising from 9.3% in 2021, a period in which 141 turbines were installed. As a result, Finland now has a total of 1,393 wind turbines with a combined power of 5,677MW — raised by nearly 43% in 2022… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/350e89m

Concrete has been described as the most destructive material on Earth. After water, it’s the most used substance in the world, with twice the usage of steel, wood, plastics, and aluminium combined. To manufacture all this concrete, more than 4 billion tonnes of cement are produced every year. According to the Chatham House think tank, that creates around 8% of all CO2 emissions — more than what’s caused by all the trucks across the globe. Cement makers urgently need to reduce this footprint. To meet the requirements of the Paris Agreement on climate change, the industry needs to cut emissions… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/i42nKzw

The UK’s space sector is searching for positives after the first orbital launch from western Europe ended in failure. The mission appeared to have started smoothly. At around 10PM GMT on Monday, the Boeing 747 carrying Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket successfully took-off in southwest England. The jet then climbed around 35,000ft before releasing the rocket over the Atlantic Ocean. But then, disaster struck. “We appear to have an anomaly that has prevented us from reaching orbit. We are evaluating the information,” Virgin Orbit announced on Twitter. We appear to have an anomaly that has prevented us from reaching orbit. We are… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/MiHZ1K3

On Monday, the UK government launched a £7M tech fund aiming to decarbonize the freight industry and improve transport links. Over the course of three years, the Freight Innovation Fund (FIF) will go to up to 36 SMEs to develop innovative technologies that can make industrial transport more “efficient,” “resilient,” and “greener.” “Each year in the UK, we transport 1.6 billion tonnes of freight using many different modes of transport, and it has never been quicker or easier,” Nicola Yates OBE, CEO at Connected Places Catapult — the government’s innovation accelerator — said in the associated press release. “The freight… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/Q0lUAac

Both the EU’s ambitious 2030 climate target and the current energy crisis have highlighted the need to accelerate the transition to renewable energy. And while wind, solar, and green hydrogen are already on the rise, there are still important steps to be taken the coming year to increase their sustainability — and improve what they’re capable of. To find out how this will work, TNW spoke with three experts. Wind power Floating offshore wind is a “game changer” for the renewable energy industry and a “key technology” against climate change, Felipe Cornago — Commercial Director Offshore Wind, at BayWa r.e. —… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/xOd5M3i

2022 was a year of highs and lows for job seekers. A turbulent economic landscape was scarred with job losses across the tech industry, rising inflation across Europe, and high energy and grocery costs drove a cost of living crisis, which, combined with a looming recession, made many workers understandably nervous. Given that environment, it would be easy to think it’s a bad time out there for anyone looking for a new job, particularly if they work in the tech industry. The truth, of course, is a little bit different. Those layoffs we’re seeing across tech behemoths such as Salesforce,… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/lFaIWkf

The first ever orbital satellite launch from the UK — and Europe — is set for takeoff tonight (Monday, January 9). The so-called “Start Me UP” mission, led by US-based Virgin Orbit, will set out from Spaceport Cornwall at Newquay Airport at around 21:15 UTC. You can watch the launch via Virgin Orbit’s livestream below: At the center of the mission is a modified Boeing 747 aircraft, the Cosmic Girl, which is fitted with Virgin Orbit’s Launcher One rocket carrying nine civil and defense satellites. Cosmic Girl will take off from Spaceport Cornwall and will ascend to an altitude of 35,000… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/VvthLog

Amidst the climate and energy crisis, heat pumps have emerged on the housing heating market as a technology that can replace gas and oil, while lowering the energy bills. Yet, their air compression systems require refrigerants to work. These refrigerants, also known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are amongst the most potent greenhouse gasses. Founded in 2017 and having raised €5 million, French deeptech startup Equium is seeking to provide a more ecological alternative. With this aim, it has developed a novel, acoustic heat pump core that harnesses the energy of sound. The so-called Acoustic Heat Pump (AHP) can cover a household’s heating… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/ujTlWai

With a global recession impending, Europe’s startups are feeling the pressure. Investment opportunities are dwindling and customer acquisition is getting harder. So what can startups do to survive during this time? From hiring freezes to spending cuts, founders are making preparations to get through the recession unscathed. There are many ways to cut spending during this time that don’t involve layoffs, it’s just about being a little savvy and thrifty, and looking out for programs that are designed to give startups a boost. Here’s your go-to checklist for smart ways startups can cut spending and save during the recession: 1.… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/4Vtg1J0

For a while, Evernote was on top of the world. The Californian note-taking app surfed the 2000s tech productivity boom to become the leader in its field. But then it fell from grace, becoming sluggish, buggy, and expensive. Users abandoned the platform, heading in droves to other note-taking apps. And it looks like more change is afoot. On January 3, the sale of Evernote to the Italian company Bending Spoons was finally confirmed. On one hand, this could be concerning for remaining users. Evernote will no longer be an independent company, meaning there could be huge changes to its current… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Evernote from The Next Web https://ift.tt/d62QDIz

Across Europe and North America, more and more people are deciding to ditch their reliance on public utilities such as water, gas, and electricity to live and operate independently. And they’re doing so for a number of different reasons — a desire to connect with nature, be more self-sufficient, save energy, or generally live a more sustainable lifestyle are just a few. In The Netherlands, this kind of living is increasingly seen as an attractive, and viable, option; there’s a whole thread dedicated to self-sustainable living in the r/Netherlands subreddit, and in 2016 The Netherlands became home to the first high-tech… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/Zp6sNXH

Did you know that the world is predicted to produce more than 50 million metric tons of e-waste this year? And, according to the latest statistics, less than 20% of this is recycled properly, meaning that huge amounts end up in landfills. Gadgets play a big part in this. Just consider that 5.3 billion smartphones are expected to be thrown away in 2022. But here’s the good news: gadgets will get more sustainable in 2023, and that’s all thanks to the emerging trend of circularity. “In major markets such as Europe, consumers are looking for more durable, long-lasting products,” Stanton Thomas,… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/kbVwWio

Chip designer Arm is rapidly expanding its automotive business, amid mounting competition from open-source rival RISC-V.  Revenue from the segment has doubled since 2020, the Financial Times reports. Dennis Laudick, VP of automotive go-to-market at Arm, attributed the growth to the number of chips required by high-end cars, which he described as “data [centers] on wheels.” This trend is set to accelerate as demand for electric and autonomous vehicles grows. Semico Research predicts the automotive chip IP market will double by 2027 — which could prove crucial to Arm’s future business. The UK-based firm produces chip designs that are used… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/svAt8ua

Happy New Year to you! If you’re in the market for a new career (and, let’s face it, who isn’t right now?), your timing couldn’t be more perfect—January is actually one of the best months to get a new job. Surprised? You’re not alone. Most people presume looking for a job early in the new year is futile, but that’s a myth. Hiring is a year-round process, and there’s never a bad time to apply for a job. What’s more, right now is actually one of the best times to apply. Here’s why: Hit the ground running For one, companies… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/Py0wiqc

Augmented Reality (AR) has promised some pretty big things, such as, you know, a total disruption to how we live and work. By overlaying a virtual world over our IRL one, endless possibilities in how we communicate with one another, take in information, and see the world, come into focus. But AR has fallen short of expectations. While many of us have used dog filters on social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, and played games like Pokemon Go!, we can’t really say it’s truly disrupted our daily lives — yet. One of the most cited reasons for AR’s lack of… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/bRJwuUN

The European Union is on a mission to curb the power of big tech. In recent years, the bloc has doled out vast antitrust fines to Silicon Valley giants, set global standards for data privacy, and proposed a raft of digital regulations. Yet critics say the rules have been ineffective. Analysts claim the legislation has failed to protect competition, while giving companies routes to avoid enforcement. In 2023, the bloc has grand ambitions to change that.  A key component of the plans is the new Digital Markets Act (DMA). The landmark legislation prohibits platforms from ranking their own products more… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/ybmG42i

We did it! Despite humanity’s best efforts, we made it through 2022. Before we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and brace for whatever 2023 has to offer, we should probably take some time to reflect on the year that was. Here at Neural, that means recounting our favorite stories from the past 12 months. There was a lot of mind-blowing news in the world of tech in 2022. From Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter to former Google engineer Blake Lemoine declaring that he’d met a sentient AI, it was a year to remember. But, rather than rehash months-old news,… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/Q9B0uRo