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UK space data pioneer books maiden flight on SpaceX’s Falcon 9
A stargazing satellite called Mauve has booked a flight on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. Mauve is the brainchild of British startup Blues Skies Space. The London-based company has a unique plan for the satellite. After launching into space in October 2025, Mauve will turn its onboard telescope towards the cosmos. The 13cm device will then observe hundreds of stars in ultraviolet and visible wavelengths. Scientists will scan the data for insights on stellar flares and magnetic activity. They could even unearth evidence that neighbouring exoplanets are habitable. But that’s not what makes the plan unusual. Blues Skies Space will provide…This story continues at The Next Web
A stargazing satellite called Mauve has booked a flight on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. Mauve is the brainchild of British startup Blues Skies Space. The London-based company has a unique plan for the satellite. After launching into space in October 2025, Mauve will turn its onboard telescope towards the cosmos. The 13cm device will then observe hundreds of stars in ultraviolet and visible wavelengths. Scientists will scan the data for insights on stellar flares and magnetic activity. They could even unearth evidence that neighbouring exoplanets are habitable. But that’s not what makes the plan unusual. Blues Skies Space will provide…
This story continues at The Next Web
TNW Podcast: Jennifer Goodall on brain-computer interface tech; first robotic surgery on UK child
Welcome to the new episode of the TNW Podcast — the show where we discuss the latest developments in the European technology ecosystem and feature interviews with some of the most interesting people in the industry. In today’s episode, Linnea and Ioanna talk about the entry into force of the EU’s AI Act and what it means for companies, futuristic robotic surgery, meteor showers, and enter the sci-fi fandom realm with some Douglas Adams trivia. You’ll also hear an on-stage conversation with Jennifer Goodall, CEO at MindAffect, a brain-computer interface (BCI) startup that develops hearing and vision diagnostics systems…This story continues at The Next Web
Welcome to the new episode of the TNW Podcast — the show where we discuss the latest developments in the European technology ecosystem and feature interviews with some of the most interesting people in the industry. In today’s episode, Linnea and Ioanna talk about the entry into force of the EU’s AI Act and what it means for companies, futuristic robotic surgery, meteor showers, and enter the sci-fi fandom realm with some Douglas Adams trivia. You’ll also hear an on-stage conversation with Jennifer Goodall, CEO at MindAffect, a brain-computer interface (BCI) startup that develops hearing and vision diagnostics systems…
This story continues at The Next Web
ASML’s latest machine powers new breakthroughs for logic and memory chips
Imec, a leading semiconductor research company based in Belgium, today announced a series of chipmaking breakthroughs at its joint lab with ASML. The lab opened its doors in June with the aim to provide ecosystem partners with early access to the High NA EUV prototype scanner. The High NA machine represents the latest advancement in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems, which use light to draw chip patterns on silicon wafers. It’s ASML’s most high-end tool to date. Now, imec says that the use of the technology has already yielded impressive results. The first is the successful printing of circuit patterns…This story continues at The Next Web
Imec, a leading semiconductor research company based in Belgium, today announced a series of chipmaking breakthroughs at its joint lab with ASML. The lab opened its doors in June with the aim to provide ecosystem partners with early access to the High NA EUV prototype scanner. The High NA machine represents the latest advancement in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems, which use light to draw chip patterns on silicon wafers. It’s ASML’s most high-end tool to date. Now, imec says that the use of the technology has already yielded impressive results. The first is the successful printing of circuit patterns…
This story continues at The Next Web
Space balloon for tourists set for landmark test flight
A “space balloon” for tourists is set for a test flight in Saudi Arabia this September. Spanish startup Halo Space built the balloon for zero-emission trips into the stratosphere. Each ticket is expected to cost around €150,000. On each flight, Halo plans to welcome aboard eight passengers and one pilot. The balloon will then ascend to altitudes of up to 35km. From this lofty perch in the sky, the tourists will enjoy views of the cosmos. But before that vision becomes reality, Halo needs to prove that the balloon is safe. The Saudi test aims to produce fresh evidence. If all…This story continues at The Next Web
A “space balloon” for tourists is set for a test flight in Saudi Arabia this September. Spanish startup Halo Space built the balloon for zero-emission trips into the stratosphere. Each ticket is expected to cost around €150,000. On each flight, Halo plans to welcome aboard eight passengers and one pilot. The balloon will then ascend to altitudes of up to 35km. From this lofty perch in the sky, the tourists will enjoy views of the cosmos. But before that vision becomes reality, Halo needs to prove that the balloon is safe. The Saudi test aims to produce fresh evidence. If all…
This story continues at The Next Web
Off the back of US strike, UK union sets minimum pay for video game performers
No one was surprised when British actor Neil Newbon won the “Best Performance” category at The Game Awards last year for his role as Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3 — beating Hollywood royalty Idris Elba’s appearance in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. (However, it is safe to assume that Elba, while also British may have been offered significantly more for his role.) Disparities in pay for video game performers have become fiercely contentious. The UK’s performing arts and entertainment trade union, Equity, has proposed a solution. The union announced today it has set recommended minimum rates for video game performers, hoping…This story continues at The Next Web
No one was surprised when British actor Neil Newbon won the “Best Performance” category at The Game Awards last year for his role as Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3 — beating Hollywood royalty Idris Elba’s appearance in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. (However, it is safe to assume that Elba, while also British may have been offered significantly more for his role.) Disparities in pay for video game performers have become fiercely contentious. The UK’s performing arts and entertainment trade union, Equity, has proposed a solution. The union announced today it has set recommended minimum rates for video game performers, hoping…
This story continues at The Next Web
Depop and Selfridges are stitching AI analytics into second-hand fashion
Depop and Selfridges are sewing an AI thread into their clothes. The fashion retailers have enlisted British startup Kelp Technologies to analyse market trends and prices of second-hand apparel. Kelp — aka Truss — will apply AI to automatically assess items of clothing. Proprietary algorithms will then suggest prices, recommend products, and refine search results. Depop will bake the insights into the platform’s clothes listings. Selfridges will apply them to the company’s resale arm, Reselfridges. The project aims to save them time and money. By boosting the second-hand clothing market, it could also reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions. “Every item holds…This story continues at The Next Web
Depop and Selfridges are sewing an AI thread into their clothes. The fashion retailers have enlisted British startup Kelp Technologies to analyse market trends and prices of second-hand apparel. Kelp — aka Truss — will apply AI to automatically assess items of clothing. Proprietary algorithms will then suggest prices, recommend products, and refine search results. Depop will bake the insights into the platform’s clothes listings. Selfridges will apply them to the company’s resale arm, Reselfridges. The project aims to save them time and money. By boosting the second-hand clothing market, it could also reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions. “Every item holds…
This story continues at The Next Web
Report: Sweden’s startup ecosystem retains EU lead, but loses momentum
Sweden remains the leading startup ecosystem in the EU, second only to the UK in Europe as a whole. That’s according to this year’s Global Startup Ecosystem Index Report by StartupBlink. In the past decade, the Nordic nation has emerged as one of the world’s top tier startup hubs. Home to over 7,000 startups and scaleups, Sweden has also minted 41 unicorns to date. This includes high-profile companies such as Spotify, Klarna, and NorthVolt. In addition, the country is the European leader in exit value above $1bn, also outperforming global powerhouses Singapore, Israel, and Canada. Numerous factors are behind Sweden’s…This story continues at The Next Web
Sweden remains the leading startup ecosystem in the EU, second only to the UK in Europe as a whole. That’s according to this year’s Global Startup Ecosystem Index Report by StartupBlink. In the past decade, the Nordic nation has emerged as one of the world’s top tier startup hubs. Home to over 7,000 startups and scaleups, Sweden has also minted 41 unicorns to date. This includes high-profile companies such as Spotify, Klarna, and NorthVolt. In addition, the country is the European leader in exit value above $1bn, also outperforming global powerhouses Singapore, Israel, and Canada. Numerous factors are behind Sweden’s…
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Terra Quantum wins US Air Force contract for quantum-resistant network study
Swiss startup Terra Quantum announced today it has landed a contract to embark on a study with the US Air Force for a network utilising post-quantum cryptography, quantum key distribution, and quantum random number generators. Terra Quantum is the recipient of a grant from the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) fund for technologies with applications for the defence industry. The aim of the specific project is to create a long-range, ultra-secure communication network that will be virtually unhackable even as quantum computing technologies progress. The news comes as the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is getting ready…This story continues at The Next Web
Swiss startup Terra Quantum announced today it has landed a contract to embark on a study with the US Air Force for a network utilising post-quantum cryptography, quantum key distribution, and quantum random number generators. Terra Quantum is the recipient of a grant from the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) fund for technologies with applications for the defence industry. The aim of the specific project is to create a long-range, ultra-secure communication network that will be virtually unhackable even as quantum computing technologies progress. The news comes as the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is getting ready…
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Philosophy is crucial in the age of AI
New scientific understanding and engineering techniques have always impressed and frightened. No doubt they will continue to do so. OpenAI recently announced that it anticipates “superintelligence” — AI surpassing human abilities — this decade. It is accordingly building a new team, and devoting 20% of its computing resources to ensuring that the behaviour of such AI systems will be aligned with human values. It seems they don’t want rogue superintelligent AIs waging war on humanity, as in James Cameron’s 1984 science fiction thriller, The Terminator (ominously, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator is sent back in time from 2029). OpenAI is calling for…This story continues at The Next Web
New scientific understanding and engineering techniques have always impressed and frightened. No doubt they will continue to do so. OpenAI recently announced that it anticipates “superintelligence” — AI surpassing human abilities — this decade. It is accordingly building a new team, and devoting 20% of its computing resources to ensuring that the behaviour of such AI systems will be aligned with human values. It seems they don’t want rogue superintelligent AIs waging war on humanity, as in James Cameron’s 1984 science fiction thriller, The Terminator (ominously, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator is sent back in time from 2029). OpenAI is calling for…
This story continues at The Next Web
‘Switzerland of quantum computing’ raises $75M for error-correction chip
UK-based Riverlane announced today it has secured $75mn in Series C funding to meet “surging global demand” for quantum error correction — and propel it on its path toward 1 million error-free quantum operations by 2026. Quantum technologies hold the potential to forever alter the way in which we think about computation. Specifically, quantum computing can unlock a range of transformative capabilities across industries such as pharmaceuticals, logistics, and energy. But in order for that to happen, two things need to occur — scaling of the number of physical qubits and a significant reduction in error rates. Qubit neutrality There…This story continues at The Next Web
UK-based Riverlane announced today it has secured $75mn in Series C funding to meet “surging global demand” for quantum error correction — and propel it on its path toward 1 million error-free quantum operations by 2026. Quantum technologies hold the potential to forever alter the way in which we think about computation. Specifically, quantum computing can unlock a range of transformative capabilities across industries such as pharmaceuticals, logistics, and energy. But in order for that to happen, two things need to occur — scaling of the number of physical qubits and a significant reduction in error rates. Qubit neutrality There…
This story continues at The Next Web