Swiss Robotics Research and Results

It can all go back to the example of the complex Watch

On Robotics in Switzerland

Marc-André Miserez, Other languages: 7

The move into robotics has been a natural fit for a country that excels in high-end precision machinery and electronics.

To pull together top Swiss research in this field, the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR)External link Robotics was formed in 2010, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, to develop “new, human-oriented robotic technology for improving our quality of life”. After 12 years and CHF85 million ($91.2 million) invested, funding for the programme came to an end in November 2022. The NCCR project is being succeeded by the NTN Innovation Booster RoboticsExternal link programme, aimed at promoting knowledge transfer and a transition to the industrial phase.

Today, the most popular robots are not made in Switzerland, but in Japan, Korea, China, Germany or the United States. Yet Switzerland is a world leader in robotics research, and the products made by Swiss start-ups are sold around the world.

They also have a wide appeal among the Swiss public, especially children, as shown in this video from the Swiss Robotics Days in Lausanne on November 4-5, 2022.  ... ' 

Setchain Application Multiplies Blockchain Transaction

Thinking the implications of this. 

Setchain Application Multiplies Blockchain Transactions Per Block

IMDEA Software Institute News (Spain), September 26, 2022

Researchers at Spain's IMDEA project, Switzerland's Tezos Foundation, and French Tezos Protocol developer Nomadic Labs have unveiled Setchain, an application that allows a greater number of blockchain transactions per block. The IMDEA Networks Institute's Antonio Fernández Anta said adding millions of transactions is possible when conceptual visualizations of the boundary between blocks are required no more than once per second. "Setchain allows to store transactions permanently and reliably, introducing order between transactions when it is indispensable," explained Anta. Setchain can order blocks within the chain without requiring the ordering of transactions within the blocks, reducing costs for blockchain users. ... ' 

Augmented Paper as a New Media

Good illustrations at the link. Clever thought,  we still will use paper (and other media)  How can we effectively get important virtual content there too.  Saw this presented one time as a means for advertising in AR spaces.

The Virtual Made Real—New Technology for the Media of the Future
ETH Zurich
Florian Meyer

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich's Media Technology Center (MTC) are developing future media technologies to transform journalism. One project is "augmented paper" that would allow anyone wearing augmented reality (AR) glasses to see moving images on a page that would display correctly even when the pages bend. MTC is using Zurich's city center to test the concept's practical legibility, with wearers of AR glasses able to see local information like tram departure times, ads for shops, or related newspaper articles. MTC's Severin Klingler said, "Our tool means users no longer have to grapple with the difficult question of how to get their virtual content into the right real place."  ... ' 

Vans and Drones in a Network

This was new to me, quite an interesting case.  Bring on the Drones.

Switzerland’s new autonomous drone network just completed its first delivery Coffee anyone?   by Andrew J. Hawkins  @andyjayhawk  In theVerge

" ... Yesterday, an autonomous drone landed on the roof of a Mercedes-Benz van in Zurich, successfully completing the first delivery of Switzerland’s aerial logistics network. The drone’s package contained some delicious coffee from Swiss e-commerce startup Siroop. The delivery was coordinated by logistics company Matternet, which says it hopes to eventually deliver lab samples like blood tests and other diagnostics flown between hospital facilities, clinics, and labs — all via drone.  ... "