TECH

Swiss biomethane shows potential for domestic energy self-sufficiency through biomass

By using biomass intelligently, Switzerland could meet a substantial percentage of its own gas needs. This is the conclusion reached by a study led by the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI. Gas imports could be significantly reduced as a result, making Switzerland less dependent on the global market. The study was commissioned by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) and published at the beginning of this year.

The current turbulent global situation is leading to sharp fluctuations in the energy markets. The rise in oil and gas prices is dampening the economic outlook and increasing the risk of inflation. "But there are ways of reducing our dependence on fossil fuel imports and so substantially immunizing our economy against such events," says Tilman Schildhauer.

The chemical engineer works at the PSI Center for Energy and Environmental Sciences, where he conducts research in the field of methanation and power-to-X technologies. Working with two colleagues, he has carried out a new study to analyze in detail the hidden potential of biomass, such as wood, sewage sludge and green waste, to replace fossil gas and thus release less carbon dioxide, which is harmful to the climate. Their findings are encouraging: wood gasifiers, biogas plants and similar facilities, could supply a substantial proportion of Switzerland's future gas demand, which the study projects will decrease by a factor of three to five and is therefore expected to be considerably lower.

The study was conducted by PSI and Verenum AG on behalf of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) and published on the SFOE website at the beginning of this year. The researchers carried out a detailed analysis of a wide range of different technologies, considering all their respective advantages and disadvantages. Converting wood residues, green waste, sewage sludge and other biomass not only generates electricity and heat. It can also be used to produce biomethane.

Reducing dependency..."We won't achieve complete self-sufficiency when it comes to gas, but we can significantly reduce today's extreme dependency," Schildhauer explains.

The study suggests that this would require two steps. First, the energy system as a whole needs to be switched to more efficient electrical technologies such as heat pumps. This alone will significantly reduce the demand for gas. And second, as much biomethane as possible should be produced from biomass.

This is because many processes will continue to depend on gas in the future. "This doesn't just include gas-fired power stations, which have to step in during a power drought (dunkelflaute) when renewable sources supply too little electricity," says Christian Bauer, who contributed to the study and works on life cycle assessments at PSI. Many high-temperature industrial processes and synthesis processes in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries will continue to depend on gas.

However, due to its population density and topography, Switzerland cannot grow plants solely to produce energy. "Nevertheless, we can replace a large part of the natural gas we import today with biomethane from our own sources," says Bauer. The study found that around a quarter to half of expected future gas demand could be met by domestic sources. The rest does not have to be imported by gas tanker from distant countries but could also be sourced from other European countries with more agricultural and forest land.

Intelligently combining facilities and infrastructure...But how can existing biomass be utilized as intelligently as possible? "It is important to always keep the overall system in mind and not to take a compartmentalized view of local options," says Schildhauer, explaining the results of his analysis.

It makes little sense, for example, to use transportable wood instead of heat pumps to produce hot water in a heating network, when elsewhere a large industrial company needs the wood, or the biomethane produced from it, for high-temperature processes and is forced to import energy sources instead.

Wood gasifiers are available as small units—typically with an output of around 35 kilowatts to 1 megawatt—or as large-scale projects. In small units, combustion usually takes place in the same vessel as gas production. This results in a gas mixture that is only partially combustible and cannot be fed directly into the gas grid. In larger installations, on the other hand, combustion is usually physically separated from gasification.

"That gives you a product gas that is free of nitrogen and is also very suitable for methanation," says Schildhauer. Nickel-based catalysts can be used to convert the carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in the gas into methane and water. The water can then be separated out through condensation, resulting in biomethane. "We can feed this directly into the gas grid, but naturally that depends on having the appropriate grid infrastructure in place."

The researcher is keen to point out that the biomass used to produce methane does not compete with food or animal feed production. "The material streams we are talking about would otherwise go to waste, and these volumes certainly have great potential," he says. The required facilities have already reached a high level of technical maturity. Several new types of gasifiers could be ready for the market within the next few years. Following some initial investments, the energy system would gradually be restructured, which would significantly smooth out price fluctuations during global crises.

Biomethane for domestic use is a renewable and sustainable alternative to fossil natural gas and LPG (cooking gas). It is obtained through the purification of biogas, removing impurities such as CO2 and moisture to achieve a methane concentration greater than 90%, which makes it chemically identical to natural gas.

Domestic applications...Biomethane can be used in homes in two main ways (below):

Injection into the grid: Because it has the same properties as natural gas, it can be injected directly into the existing gas pipeline infrastructure without the need to replace stoves, heaters or boilers.

Home biodigesters: Equipment such as HomeBiogas allows you to convert food scraps and animal waste into gas for cooking on-site, generating 2 to 3 hours of gas per day.

Advantages and benefits(below):

Energy independence: Reduces dependence on imported fuels and oil/dollar price fluctuations.

Sustainability: It is a 100% renewable source that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 99% compared to fossil fuels.

Circular economy: It transforms organic waste (kitchen waste) into energy and produces liquid biofertilizer as a byproduct for gardens.

Access in remote areas: Compressed biomethane (virtual pipeline) allows gas to be brought to regions not served by traditional pipelines.

Challenges and disadvantages (below):

Initial cost: The investment to install biodigesters or purification plants can be high.

Temperature sensitivity: Production in domestic biodigesters decreases significantly in very cold climates, as the bacteria require constant heat.

Space and maintenance requirements: Home biodigesters need a sunny location and daily feeding of waste to maintain stable production.

Provided by Paul Scherrer Institute 

TECH

What your hobbies say about your mind may surprise you

Some everyday activities can reveal much more about how the brain works than it seems. Identified patterns reveal curious clues about how certain minds think.

Intelligence doesn't always appear in tests or numbers. Often, it reveals itself subtly, in the choices made in free time. There are activities that go beyond entertainment and function as true mental training. The most interesting thing is that, with the advancement of artificial intelligence, it is becoming possible to identify patterns in these choices — and better understand what they say about those who practice them.

Some hobbies are often underestimated, but hide a high level of complexity. Logic games, crossword puzzles, riddles, and brain teasers are clear examples of this.

Behind the apparent simplicity, these activities require pattern recognition, hypothesis formulation, and constant adaptation of strategies. It is not enough to follow an obvious path — often it is necessary to test possibilities and change approach quickly.

According to analyses based on artificial intelligence, this type of practice stimulates so-called lateral thinking. This refers to the ability to see solutions outside the traditional pattern, connecting ideas that, at first glance, do not seem related.

Furthermore, these games activate processes such as deduction and induction, which are fundamental for solving new problems. People who engage in this type of challenge tend to develop what is called fluid intelligence — the ability to deal with unfamiliar situations without relying exclusively on prior knowledge.

It is a constant training in adaptation and reasoning.

The silent habit that reconfigures thought...Among the most recurrent behaviors in profiles with high cognitive capacity, one stands out for its consistency: deep reading.

It's not about consuming content quickly, but about immersing oneself in denser texts, following complex ideas over time. This type of reading requires concentration, interpretation, and active construction of meaning.

When reading, the brain not only absorbs information — it creates scenarios, anticipates events, and establishes connections between different concepts. It is a dynamic mental activity that involves memory, imagination, and analysis.

Studies indicate that this habit strengthens verbal comprehension, expands vocabulary, and improves the ability to abstract. Furthermore, it contributes to more organized and coherent thinking.

For artificial intelligence, frequent readers show a greater ability to maintain focus and structure ideas consistently. In other words, reading functions as a kind of continuous mental simulation.

Learning something new as an exercise in flexibility...Another behavior that frequently appears is the interest in learning new languages ​​autonomously.

This process goes far beyond memorizing words. It requires adaptation to new grammatical structures, different sounds, and alternative ways of expressing ideas. The brain needs to reorganize its own patterns to accommodate this new system.

This type of practice develops so-called cognitive flexibility — the ability to switch between different ways of thinking. By dealing with more than one language, the person constantly trains the exchange of contexts and the mental control necessary to avoid interference between them.

In addition, learning a new language expands the ability to process complex information more quickly and accurately. It is a continuous exercise in adaptation.

Among the most complete hobbies from a cognitive point of view is musical practice.

Playing an instrument involves motor coordination, auditory perception, and real-time structural analysis. It's not just an artistic expression—it's a highly integrated mental exercise.

During musical performance, the brain needs to anticipate patterns, adjust movements precisely, and maintain rhythm. All of this happens simultaneously, demanding speed and control.

This type of activity strengthens memory, improves processing speed, and increases the ability to predict sequences. In a way, music functions as a logical system that unfolds over time.

But there is an element that connects all these behaviors.

The invisible factor behind it all...More than any specific activity, there is a common trait among people with high cognitive performance: intellectual curiosity.

This drive leads to a constant search for new knowledge, the exploration of varied themes, and the questioning of established ideas. It's not just superficial interest, but a need to understand more deeply.

This type of curiosity fuels continuous learning and the connection between different areas of knowledge. Whether through books, independent study, or exploring new challenges, it acts as an engine for intellectual development.

Ultimately, these hobbies don't, by themselves, determine someone's level of intelligence. But they help reveal interesting patterns about how certain minds operate.

And that's exactly what the title suggests—and answers: what we do in our free time can say much more about our way of thinking than we imagine.

Hobbies are much more than simple pastimes; they are "medicine" for the brain, revealing and influencing our mental structure, emotional health, and cognitive well-being. The regular practice of enjoyable activities acts on the limbic system, regulating emotions, reducing stress, and activating neurotransmitters linked to reward and pleasure, such as dopamine and serotonin.

Here's what different hobbies say about our minds and how they impact them:

Need for relaxation and stress management: Relaxing and hands-on hobbies (gardening, knitting, pottery, meditation) indicate a search for reducing cortisol, decreasing the activity of the amygdala—the area of ​​the brain associated with fear and stress. Studies indicate that 45 minutes of hobby a day can reduce cortisol by up to 30%.

Focus, creativity, and "flow": Activities such as painting, puzzles, drawing, and writing stimulate the "flow state," where the mind focuses intensely, pushing away negative thoughts and anxieties.

Intelligence, memory, and cognition: Hobbies that require mental engagement (logic games, chess, reading, playing instruments) strengthen cognitive reserve, improving memory and problem-solving skills, and preventing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Presence and escape valve: Manual and physical hobbies help to get out of the "autopilot" of routine, providing moments of presence and focus on the "here and now."

Emotion management: Dedication to personal hobbies helps increase self-esteem and emotional regulation, being an effective tool to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Summary: Your hobbies show that your mind seeks balance, creative stimulation, or calm, and investing time in them is essential to maintain mental health and cognitive agility.

by mundophone

SAMSUNG

The Galaxy Z TriFold is now discontinued

The tech world woke up to news that caught many enthusiasts by surprise, but which, upon closer inspection, reveals a lot about the current strategy of the Korean giant. The Galaxy Z TriFold, the device that promised to be the greatest exponent of foldable screen engineering, has been officially discontinued by Samsung. After disappearing in the blink of an eye from virtual shelves in South Korea and the United States, the brand confirmed that the stock has permanently sold out and there will be no new units on the way. If you were saving up for this unique device, I regret to inform you that the train has already left — and this time there seems to be no return ticket.

The Galaxy Z TriFold's journey was as intense as it was brief. The device, which stood out for its triple folding system and two distinct hinges, was never designed to be a mass success like the Galaxy Z Fold7 or the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Samsung has always treated it as an experimental project with a very limited run, almost like a functional prototype placed in the hands of anyone willing to pay the price of exclusivity.

Sales history shows that demand far exceeded the supply controlled by the brand:

-Launch in South Korea: Sold out in record time as soon as the first units became available.

-North American Market: Samsung kept small batches for sale, but the last restock, which occurred on April 10, disappeared in minutes.

-Price and Exclusivity: In China, the device cost around 19,999 Yuan (approximately 2,600 euros), competing directly with offerings such as the Huawei Mate XT.

You might wonder why a company would stop selling a product that sells out instantly. The answer lies in complexity. The Galaxy Z TriFold is an incredibly difficult piece of engineering to manufacture on a large scale. With two articulation points on the screen, the risk of mechanical failures and the production cost of the processor and flexible panels make its profitability questionable for mass production.

By discontinuing the model now, Samsung protects its trademark, avoiding long-term durability problems in a device that was still in the "real-world testing" phase. Furthermore, it focuses its resources on what really sells: conventional foldable models that have already proven their resistance in everyday use.

If your goal was to have a tablet that fits in your pocket, Samsung is now pointing to safer paths. The brand's official recommendation for TriFold orphans is the Galaxy Z Fold7, which offers a mature software experience, or the Galaxy S26 Ultra, for those who prioritize photography and raw processor power without sacrificing a generous screen.

However, we know very well that neither of these replacements delivers that "gadget of the future" feeling that the TriFold provided. The absence of an immediate successor leaves a void in the luxury market, but behind-the-scenes information suggests that Samsung hasn't given up on the format. The knowledge gained from this first generation will certainly be applied to future projects.

The seed planted for the Galaxy Z TriFold 2...Don't be discouraged, as this goodbye may only be a "see you soon." There are solid reports that Samsung is already working hard on a second version. The goal for the successor is clear: to smooth out the rough edges of this first attempt. The eventual Galaxy Z TriFold 2 is expected to be significantly thinner and lighter, correcting the excessive thickness that was the main criticism of the lucky few who managed to get their hands on the original model.

This short life cycle serves as a lesson for the market. Innovation has a cost, and sometimes that cost is ephemerality. The Galaxy Z TriFold thus goes down in history as a technological milestone that, although it didn't reach the pockets of most, proved that the limit of what we can fold is still far from being reached. If you weren't able to buy one, now you just have to wait for the next iteration, which promises to be more practical and, hopefully, more readily available.

mundophone

TECH

The unexpected button that could save the foldable iPhone Ultra

Apple is preparing to enter the foldable device market with an approach that, at first glance, seems to defy the logic of minimalist design. The highly anticipated iPhone Ultra, which promises to be the pinnacle of Cupertino's technological engineering, brings with it a design decision that is raising eyebrows among enthusiasts. At a time when the brand is sacrificing historical components in the name of thickness, the inclusion of a physical button dedicated to camera control emerges as the big bet to ensure that the "super-foldable" is not just a luxury item, but a real productivity tool.

The latest rumors indicate that the iPhone Ultra will be extremely elegant, presenting itself as an incredibly thin device. When unfolded, this model will be even more elegant than the iPhone Air, a device that already focuses primarily on aesthetics. However, this obsession with reduced thickness comes at a high technical cost: the internal space is so limited that Apple has reportedly decided to forgo Face ID on the iPhone Ultra.

With no room to house the sensors needed for the 3D facial recognition we've become accustomed to, the brand had to prioritize components. It is in this scenario of "lack of square footage" within the chassis that the decision to include a physical button becomes so intriguing. Why would Apple occupy precious space with a mechanical button when it is removing essential biometric sensors? The answer lies in the user experience and how we interact with large screens.

Apple justifies the inclusion of this camera control button as a solution to a chronic problem of current foldable phones: the difficulty of one-handed use. Most users of similar devices from Samsung or Huawei feel the need to use both hands to capture a photo or record a video when the screen is fully open, due to the width and balance of the equipment.

With this new button, strategically positioned on the right side (which becomes the top when we hold the phone horizontally to take a picture), Apple wants the user to be able to:

-Zoom smoothly without touching the screen.

-Focus and shoot with tactile pressure, simulating a professional camera.

-Quickly switch between capture modes with gestures on the button surface.

-Maintain a secure grip on the iPhone Ultra, preventing accidental drops when trying to reach virtual controls.

Apple's approach to the foldable format seems so distinct from what currently exists that the market is already reacting even before the official launch. The iPhone Ultra's layout deviates from the established standard, and industry reports suggest that giants like Samsung and Huawei are already adjusting their plans to launch models with similar formats.

Unlike other manufacturers who try to transform the phone into a small tablet without major changes to the physical interface, Apple wants the iPhone Ultra to feel like a natural evolution of the traditional iPhone. The inclusion of this button is the link that allows it to maintain familiarity, even in a radically new format.

The software will dictate the final verdict...Despite the mastery in design and physical ergonomics, the success of this new flagship will not depend solely on buttons or screen thickness. The real test will be adapting iOS to the foldable format. If Apple manages to make apps seamlessly transition between closed and open states, and if the camera control button integrates perfectly with third-party apps, the iPhone Ultra could set the standard for the next decade.

The strategy is clear: while others focus solely on hardware, Apple is designing a way to ensure that, even with a giant screen in your hands, you still have complete control with just a few fingers. It's a bet on practicality that attempts to transform a "confusing" physical extra into the device's biggest selling point.

mundophone

RICOH

RICOH Meeting Hub 360: more inclusive, immersive, and integrated remote meetings

Remote work has many advantages for many people, but video conferencing can present some challenges. People don't feel connected as a group, and meeting room webcams can malfunction. This issue doesn't arise with our 360 Meeting Hub. In fact, thanks to its 360-degree panoramic camera and superior voice capture technology (up to 6 meters away), everyone can be seen and heard.

Entire groups are presented simultaneously so that no one seems to be far away, and individuals watching the meeting remotely can see and hear all participants as if they were present in the room. The camera automatically focuses on the person speaking and adjusts the image so that facial expressions are clear, even at 3.6 meters away. Furthermore, the Auto Gain Control feature adjusts the volume so that all participants can be heard with the same quality and interactions occur smoothly.

Thanks to its dual fisheye lenses, the device can identify up to eight individual players and highlight the three most recent participants in larger, high-resolution frames. For larger meetings, two units can be connected. In turn, acoustic echo cancellation and noise reduction features ensure that all participants can be heard loud and clear, even in noisy environments.

Setup and use are simple and seamless: with our intuitive plug-and-play feature, you can simply connect the RICOH Meeting Hub 360 to a laptop, without needing to configure multiple devices or install complicated software. And for larger meetings, simply pair two wireless units.

The RICOH Meeting Hub 360 is a 3-in-1 video conferencing device that integrates a 360-degree panoramic camera, omnidirectional microphone, and speaker into a single compact unit, positioned by PFU/RICOH as a response to the demands of hybrid work in small and medium-sized rooms. The current version on the market is the V2, with Wi-Fi ax connectivity, five configurable screen layouts, and support for dual wireless pairing. The reference price in Portugal is above €980, which places the device in a segment where the justification for the investment depends on the context of use.

PFU, a subsidiary of RICOH, markets the Meeting Hub 360 as a corporate peripheral for organizations that want to equip meeting rooms without resorting to multiple separate devices. The direct recipient is the IT or "facilities" manager who needs to equip meeting rooms for mixed teams, with some participants in the office and others working from other locations.

According to the official technical documentation, the device is designed for rooms with a capacity of up to eight participants. RICOH does not publicly specify a square meter limit, which constitutes a relevant information gap for those making purchasing decisions.

Key features...The device operates in plug-and-play mode via USB-C, without the need to install additional drivers on most modern operating systems. Automatic speaker tracking identifies who is speaking and adjusts the frame in real time, based on voice detection – supporting up to eight participants identified simultaneously, with emphasis given to the three who have spoken most recently.

The camera includes robin neutralization and LTM (Local Tone Mapping) for environments with fluorescent or uneven lighting. Echo cancellation and ambient noise suppression are processed internally, which reduces dependence on the video conferencing platform software used.

The touch sensor on top of the unit allows switching between five screen layouts without resorting to the platform's software: 360° panoramic view, 180° split-screen to show both sides of a table, and configurations with the main speaker highlighted, among others. A relevant practical detail: the SPL of the speakers drops by 10 dB when the device is powered exclusively by the computer's USB-C, instead of the AC adapter. This difference is audible in rooms with more than four participants.

For larger rooms, RICOH offers a wireless pairing feature between two units, with a range of up to four meters between devices. The brand claims that this dual configuration maintains audio and video synchronization without perceptible latency, although it does not present independent test data for this specific claim.

The absence of native Microsoft Teams Rooms certification deserves attention. In organizations with Microsoft infrastructure, the stated compatibility does not equate to certification, which may imply limitations in functionality or technical support in certain managed room configurations. For other platforms, plug-and-play operation has been confirmed in independent tests.

In March 2026, an analysis of the RICOH Meeting Hub 360 was conducted, considering its video and audio performance "convincing" under normal lighting conditions and at distances within the specified range. The report notes, however, that the digital zoom visibly loses quality when participants exceed a distance of 3.6 meters or position themselves outside the 42° vertical field of view.

Participants standing or in elevated positions may partially fall out of frame, a limitation directly explained by the restricted vertical field of view. In the audio domain, echo cancellation proved consistent; background noise suppression was effective in an office environment, but the analysis does not document results in spaces with high or industrial noise.

The RICOH Meeting Hub 360 V2 is technically competent for its intended purpose. The integration of three components into a single unit with a wide base design and built-in camera simplifies installation logistics, reduces the number of points of failure, and gives the device a portability that is not always found in this market segment.

In terms of price positioning, the reference value of around €1,000 places the RICOH Meeting Hub 360 V2 in an accessible range for the enterprise videoconferencing segment. The purchase decision should, however, be preceded by an assessment of the organization's actual needs, in particular the size of the rooms and communication platforms in use.

For organizations with Microsoft infrastructure, the lack of native Teams Rooms certification is the main point of friction to consider. For others, the Meeting Hub 360 V2 presents itself as a solid option, provided that the room does not exceed the dimensions and capacity for which the device was designed.

The RICOH Meeting Hub 360 V2 is available in Portugal with the following reference prices, consulted in April 2026:

Approximately €950 – Amazon Spain with shipping to Portugal

Approximately €1,005 – Worten

Technical support and firmware updates are available on the official PFU/RICOH portal for Portugal, at no additional cost during the three-year warranty period.

by mundophone

TECH

TUM SEACLEAR 2.0: the system that is transforming ocean cleanup

An underwater robot with artificial intelligence is already operating in complex environments, identifying debris and acting with precision. What it does underwater could change the future of the seas.

For years, ocean cleanup has been associated with visible actions: nets collecting plastic on the surface, campaigns on beaches, impactful images on social media. But the real problem is often far from sight — at the bottom of the sea. That's where tons of waste remain forgotten. Now, a new technology promises to act precisely at this critical point, where humans can hardly operate.

The proposal goes far beyond a simple robot. It is an integrated system that combines different technologies to act in a coordinated manner. While an underwater vehicle performs the collection, other units provide support on the surface and in the air.

An autonomous main vessel acts as a base of operations. Near it, an auxiliary boat helps with logistics. And, above all, an aerial drone contributes with strategic vision, mapping areas and identifying potential targets.

This set allows for something essential: understanding the environment before acting. The seabed is not a simple space. There is low visibility, unpredictable currents, and a constant mix of natural and artificial elements.

In tests conducted in port environments, the system demonstrated the ability to locate and remove various objects — from abandoned fishing nets to tires and plastic fragments. All this without causing damage to the surroundings.

This approach changes the paradigm. Instead of isolated actions, a model of continuous, coordinated, and potentially scalable operation emerges.

The artificial intelligence that decides what should be removed...The great differentiator of the technology is not only in the strength or collection capacity, but in the decision-making. The system uses artificial intelligence to distinguish what is trash from what is part of the ecosystem.

It may seem simple, but it is not. On the seabed, objects may be covered by organisms, partially buried, or confused with natural formations. Differentiating a rock from debris requires more than basic sensors.

For this, the system was trained with thousands of underwater images. Based on these references, it can recognize patterns, identify objects, and even reconstruct three-dimensional models of the environment.

This analysis allows for precise planning of each movement. The robotic arm, equipped with multiple contact points, applies enough force to remove heavy objects, but delicately enough not to damage fragile items or disturb the surrounding marine life.

This balance is crucial. Cleaning without destroying has always been one of the greatest challenges of interventions in natural environments.

Furthermore, the robot was designed to operate stably at depth. A special flotation system reduces abrupt movements and prevents sediment suspension, maintaining visibility and protecting the local ecosystem.

Operating at depth is one of the most relevant aspects of this advancement. Beyond certain levels, human intervention becomes complex, expensive, and risky. Traditional equipment also faces limitations.

It is in this scenario that automation gains real value. The robot can operate for extended periods, maintaining precision and efficiency, without the risks associated with direct human presence.

In addition, its connection to the surface ensures a continuous supply of energy and operational control, allowing for adjustments when necessary. This creates a balance between autonomy and supervision.

The potential impact goes beyond waste collection. By enabling regular operations in previously inaccessible areas, the technology paves the way for a new form of environmental management of the oceans.

It's not just about removing existing trash, but about continuously monitoring, identifying pollution patterns, and acting preventively.

A future where the oceans can begin to recover... Despite the progress, the researchers themselves acknowledge that this technology does not solve the problem at its source. Waste production remains the main challenge.

However, it offers something that was missing: an effective tool to deal with what is already in the environment.

In a scenario where the oceans accumulate decades of pollution, solutions like this represent a concrete step. They are not immediate or definitive, but they point to a change in approach.

The answer to the title lies precisely there: the robot can do what humans cannot because it acts where we cannot go safely, precisely, and consistently.

And perhaps that is the most important point. For the first time, a real possibility has emerged of cleaning the seabed continuously and on a large scale.

If this expands, the impact could be profound. Not only in the removal of waste, but in how we think about the relationship between technology and nature.

Because, in the end, the question stops being whether we can clean the oceans... and becomes whether we will use these tools in time.

The SEACLEAR 2.0 project (Autonomous Underwater Technology for Cleaner Oceans) is a European initiative involving researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), focused on developing autonomous underwater robots for the detection, classification, and collection of marine litter.

Here are the project highlights (below):

Autonomous technology: The diving robot is capable of operating autonomously to clean the seabed, having carried out operations in the port of Marseille, France.

Identification and collection: The system uses artificial intelligence and computer vision (developed at MIRMI - Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence at TUM) to differentiate marine litter from native flora and fauna, collecting only the debris.

SEACLEAR 2.0 Project: This is a continuation that seeks to improve litter removal capacity, involving multiple European partners and TUM technology.

Partnership: The project is supported by the European Union and focuses on robotics solutions for a cleaner marine environment.

The robot stands out for its ability to operate in hard-to-reach areas and actively remove debris, contributing to marine preservation.

by mundophone

DIGITAL LIFE

What could your voice give away?

With AI, the voice has acquired a new significance. Behind the words lies data that can be used both to diagnose a health problem and to steal someone's identity. Speaking to machines is no longer the stuff of science fiction. Alexa (Amazon) has been present in homes for over a decade, and an increasing number of users now favor voice interactions with chatbots.

Whether dictating a message or asking for directions, this shift is not only technical—although AI systems are becoming ever more powerful—but also societal, reflecting how humans engage with machines. Behind the words, however, lies data.

Unlike a password, a voice cannot easily be changed. It is shaped by physiological, linguistic and personal characteristics. This "voiceprint" can identify an individual and reveal sensitive information such as origin or gender. Voice is, therefore, an especially rich form of biometric data.

"When a user interacts with a voice-based system, they not only convey content but also implicit information: emotions, physical traits or behavioral patterns," explains Andrea Cavallaro, professor and head of the Multimedia and Intelligent Sensing Laboratory at EPFL.

The voice indeed contains numerous, sometimes subtle, features like rhythm, accent, tone, speed, intonation, volume or vocabulary that can all reveal something about its owner.

A resource for health care...Cavallaro's research shows that such information can be exploited by analytical systems, raising significant privacy concerns. Far from being a simple communication channel, voice constitutes a dataset in its own right.

The potential uses of voice data are numerous, particularly in health care. The same characteristics making voice identifiable also make it highly informative. Subtle variations in speech may reveal neurological disorders, respiratory diseases or emotional states. This is the premise behind Virtuosis AI, a start-up led by EPFL alumna Lara Gervaise, which explores the use of voice as a diagnostic tool.

Voice analysis could offer a noninvasive approach to medical monitoring. However, this promise also entails greater responsibility, as health data remains among the most sensitive categories of personal information.

Legal challenges...In another context, actors and dubbing professionals have taken legal action against companies accused of using their voices to train AI models without consent. The argument is straightforward: a voice is part of a person's identity and is therefore protected under personality or image rights.

At the same time, voice cloning tools are now widely accessible, sometimes even free of charge. It is no longer only the voices of professional actors that can be replicated, but potentially anyone's.

"You can imagine the scenarios: spam phone calls, deceiving relatives, or fabricating audio evidence. The voice has long been perceived as a personal signature. With AI, it becomes a vector for identity theft at scale," warns Cavallaro.

Protecting privacy from the start...How, then, can voice data be protected? One promising avenue is voice anonymization. Cavallaro's work explores ways of transforming speech to preserve intelligibility while masking the speaker's identity or gender. The approach involves generating "ambiguous" voices, reducing the ability of systems to detect sensitive attributes.

The challenge lies in balancing utility and privacy. Excessive transformation degrades the quality of the signal, while insufficient modification leaves personal information exposed. This research shows that a compromise is achievable.

"We are seeing a broader shift towards 'privacy by design,' where data protection is embedded from the outset in system development," says Cavallaro.

As the voice becomes a dominant interface, it invites us to rethink the relationship between technology, identity and privacy. Speaking may feel ephemeral, words seem to vanish as soon as they are uttered. Yet with AI, they are captured, analyzed and potentially stored.

Mass adoption...The adoption of voice-enabled AI systems has accelerated rapidly in recent years. Today, nine out of ten organizations use AI in at least one of their departments, according to McKinsey. Companies are moving swiftly from experimentation to large-scale deployment, with voice technologies among the most visible interfaces between humans and machines.

On the consumer side, widespread usage is now well established. As early as 2025, Forbes reported that around 60% of smartphone users regularly used a voice assistant, highlighting a clear increase over recent years.

Globally, the number of voice assistants is estimated at 8.4 billion, more than the world's population. This is explained by the multiple devices used within a single household, including smartphones, televisions and cars.

This rapid adoption is driven not only by technological progress but also by behavioral factors. Advances in natural language processing and generative AI have enabled smoother, conversational, hands-free interactions.

The voice is no longer just about issuing commands: it represents a new form of interaction that is reshaping how we access and process information, services and artificial intelligence itself.

Your voice acts as a rich, biometric dataset that can reveal significant personal, physical, and emotional information, especially when analyzed by artificial intelligence. Beyond just the words spoken, it acts as a "voiceprint" that can identify you, map your physical appearance, and expose sensitive health data. 

Here is what your voice can give away(below):

1. Physical characteristics and identity

-Physical appearance: AI systems can analyze voice prints to estimate facial features, such as face shape, lip thickness, and nose structure.

-Age and gender: Voice, rhythm, and pitch can reveal a person's sex and approximate age.

-Aging Processes: Changes in vocal cord thickness (often 1% loss of muscle mass per year after age 50) and reduced respiratory capacity can reveal a speaker's age and vocal aging, such as a higher pitch in men and a lower, thicker pitch in women post-menopause. 

2. Physical and mental health status

-Diseases and neurological conditions: Subtle variations in speech can indicate health issues, including Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), vocal cord paralysis, or cognitive changes.

-Vocal damage/abuse: Persistent hoarseness or a "gravelly" voice can reveal vocal overuse (nodules or polyps), smoking, or gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).

-Emotional state and stress: The voice acts as an "emotional valve." It can give away stress, sadness, anger, or fatigue.

Acute Illness: Respiratory infections, allergies, or chronic dehydration can be detected through voice quality. 

3. Identity and privacy risks

-Personal identification: Because the voice is unique, it is used for biometric identification.

-Voice cloning/identity Theft: AI can clone voices with high accuracy using short audio clips, allowing for scams, fraud, or the creation of false evidence.

-Origin/demographics: Accents, vocabulary, and speech patterns can reveal geographic origin or social background. 

4. Behavioral patterns

-Personality traits: Speech tempo, volume, and rhythm can suggest personality traits, including confidence, anxiety, or dominance.

-Emotional reactions: In conversational AI, the voice can betray user frustration or satisfaction. 

To protect this information, researchers are developing voice anonymization tools that alter the voice to mask identity, gender, or sensitive attributes while keeping speech intelligible.

Provided by Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne