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Environment

ETH Zurich students and Gebrüder Weiss take part in World Solar Challenge 2025

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The aCentauri Solar Racing Team completes the 3,000-kilometer race across Australia under challenging conditions / Logistics partner Gebrüder Weiss ensures smooth operations off the track

ETH Zurich’s aCentauri Solar Racing Team finished the World Solar Challenge in Australia in 11th place out of a total of 28 teams in the “Challenger” class.

The students covered the approximately 3,000-kilometre route from Darwin to Adelaide in six days, facing consistently challenging weather and road conditions during the Australian winter. Once again, Gebrüder Weiss served as the team’s official logistics partner.

Tracy van Arend, branch manager at Gebrüder Weiss Adelaide, says: “Placing 11th shows how well the team handled the challenges of this year’s race – a great achievement.” [Read more…] about ETH Zurich students and Gebrüder Weiss take part in World Solar Challenge 2025

Florida deploys robot rabbits to lure invasive Burmese pythons in the Everglades

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In a new twist in Florida’s long-running battle against invasive Burmese pythons, wildlife officials are turning to an unexpected ally: robot rabbits.

Outfitted with heaters, subtle movements, and artificial scents, the decoy rabbits are designed to mimic real prey – specifically marsh rabbits, a natural food source for pythons.

The goal is to draw out the elusive snakes and trigger an automated alert system that allows wildlife officials to capture and remove them before they reproduce. [Read more…] about Florida deploys robot rabbits to lure invasive Burmese pythons in the Everglades

RunFaster4EU launches to demonstrate more sustainable oil crop cultivation on marginal lands

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RunFaster4EU has launched to demonstrate more sustainable oil crop cultivation on marginal lands and upgrade two flagship Italian plants for bioproducts.

As Europe seeks to accelerate its green transition, new solutions are needed to produce high-value bio-based products without compromising food production or natural ecosystems. Marginal lands, often overlooked, may hold the key.

Launched in July 2025, RunFaster4EU is a flagship European project that aims to transform such lands into more sustainable sources of bio-based raw materials for cosmetics, bioplastics, bio-stimulants, bioherbicides, dielectric fluids, feed ingredients and NIPU (Non-Isocyanate Polyurethanes) for vertical gardens and more. [Read more…] about RunFaster4EU launches to demonstrate more sustainable oil crop cultivation on marginal lands

How AI and Robotics Improve Hazardous Waste Processing in Singapore

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Singapore’s rapid urban development, advanced manufacturing, and dense population make hazardous waste management a national priority.

From semiconductor plants to biomedical facilities, the country generates a range of toxic by-products requiring meticulous handling.

Traditionally, hazardous waste processing has relied on manual inspection, incineration, and containment – all of which present risks to human health and the environment. [Read more…] about How AI and Robotics Improve Hazardous Waste Processing in Singapore

New study reveals how corals teach their offspring to beat the heat

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By Connor Yeck

Plunge into the shallows off the Florida Keys, Hawai’i or the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and you are likely to meet a startling sight.

Where there were once acres of dazzling coral – an underwater world of dayglo greens, brassy yellows and midnight blues – is now a ghostly landscape, with many reefs seemingly drained of their pigment.

Caused by stressful conditions like warming ocean temperatures, coral bleaching is a leading threat to some of our planet’s most diverse and vital ecosystems. [Read more…] about New study reveals how corals teach their offspring to beat the heat

How advanced automation is transforming waste management

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Advanced automation is reshaping waste management by enhancing efficiency and sustainability. On-site waste handling is essential for industries like retail, logistics, and manufacturing, reducing manual labor and operational costs. The integration of robotic systems and advanced balers plays a crucial role in optimizing these operations.

The integration of automation in waste management represents a significant advancement in modern industrial practices. Industries such as retail, logistics and manufacturing are increasingly recognizing the importance of on-site waste handling to streamline operations.

Utilizing advanced technology not only reduces manual labor but also contributes significantly to sustainability goals. The adoption of these technologies reflects a broader trend towards more efficient and environmentally friendly industrial practices. [Read more…] about How advanced automation is transforming waste management

The future of landscaping: Autonomous technology is mowing the path ahead

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By Tim Kubista, RC Mowers

When robotic mowing first appeared in the late 1990s, the mowers were primarily focused on the residential market and were commonly referred to as “lawn Roombas”. These mowers were small and innovative, but weren’t all that reliable or productive.

As the technology expanded, demand shifted to the commercial market, where expectations are significantly higher. Reliability, productivity and integration into existing operations are non-negotiable for most commercial lawn care and landscaping businesses.

Today, we’ve moved from simple robotic mowers to autonomous mowing, an industry that is in the critical early-adoption phase and is comparable to where robotic vacuums were in the early 2010s. Autonomous mowers are seen as having real utility but are often met with skepticism and infrastructure challenges. [Read more…] about The future of landscaping: Autonomous technology is mowing the path ahead

Robotics and Automation Leading the Charge in Water Purification

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Clean, safe water is a universal necessity and increasingly, a global challenge. From the microscopic particles we can’t see to large-scale pollutants that threaten ecosystems, the pressure to protect water sources is mounting.

Fortunately, a wave of innovation in robotics and automation is offering powerful tools to protect the water we depend on.

Across research labs, natural reserves, and even underwater, cutting-edge tech is revolutionizing water protection. From microplastic contamination to dangerous forever chemicals like PFAS, innovation is changing how we tackle these challenges. [Read more…] about Robotics and Automation Leading the Charge in Water Purification

Amazon-backed Glacier secures $16 million to expand robotic waste recycling business

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San Francisco-based startup Glacier has raised $16 million in a Series A funding round to accelerate the deployment of its AI-powered recycling robots across the United States, as reported by TechCrunch.com.

The funding round was led by Ecosystem Integrity Fund, with participation from investors including Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, New Enterprise Associates, AlleyCorp, and others.

Glacier’s robots utilize advanced computer vision and machine learning to identify and sort over 30 types of recyclable materials at a rate of 45 items per minute. [Read more…] about Amazon-backed Glacier secures $16 million to expand robotic waste recycling business

Yarbo secures $27+ million Series B funding to accelerate global expansion

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Yarbo, a provider of multipurpose intelligent yard robots, has successfully closed its Series B funding round, raising approximately $27 million.

The round was backed by a group of strategic and financial investors, bolstering Yarbo’s vision of reimagining how the world handles outdoor work – one season at a time.

This fresh injection of capital will turbocharge Yarbo’s ability to scale mass production, enhance supply chain resilience, and deepen investment in R&D, fuelling faster product optimisation and iteration. [Read more…] about Yarbo secures $27+ million Series B funding to accelerate global expansion