News and events

EPFL now has its own Hyperloop test track

Published:23.07.21 — Engineers at EPFL’s DESL lab, working in association with EPFL spin-off Swisspod, have built a Hyperloop test track on the Lausanne campus. They will use the loop – a large vacuum tube for ultra-high-speed travel – to test a linear induction motor. The research is being funded by an Innosuisse grant.

Some urban commuters have no choice but to take their car

Published:06.07.21 — An EPFL study shows that suburban commuters do not necessarily take environmental concerns into account when deciding whether to use their car. Many car commuters – especially those with hectic schedules – feel they have no other choice. That’s especially true when it comes to working mothers.

Swiss Solar Boat competes with a revolutionary design

Published:28.05.21 — The Swiss Solar Boat is the first solar-powered boat designed entirely by EPFL students. Modeled after a Polynesian canoe, it will compete in the upcoming Monaco Solar & Energy Boat Challenge and, for the first time, have a pilot on bord.

Which type of transportation user are you?

Published:27.05.21 — Sociologists at EPFL conducted a survey of the factors that prompt people to select one form of transportation over another, and then compared the results from cities across Switzerland.

3D detectors measure social distancing to help fight Covid-19

Published:07.05.21 — A team of EPFL researchers has repurposed an algorithm they initially developed for self-driving cars to help people comply with social distancing requirements. Their program, which works with a camera, can detect whether individuals are maintaining the right distance to prevent infection – without collecting any personal data. It could be useful for public transport systems, in shops and restaurants, and even in factories.

3D models to explore the future of urban digitization

Published:23.04.21 — A multidisciplinary Swiss team explored the future of urban digitization in its theoretical, technical, and legal dimensions by modeling the city of Sion with an innovative ScanVan.

Topological data analysis can help predict crashes

Published:06.04.21 — EPFL scientists, together with local startup L2F, have developed a robust model that can predict when a systemic shift is about to occur, based on methods from a branch of mathematics called topological data analysis.

Clean hydrogen can reduce the climate impact of industries

Published:25.03.21 — EPFL engineers are taking part in PROMETEO – an EU research project to generate hydrogen on a large scale from renewable sources, in an effort to lower industrial carbon emissions.

EPFL algorithm in the world's most popular deep learning software

Published:17.03.21 — PyTorch is used for countless AI applications ranging from Tesla’s Autopilot to Facebook’s translation software and its latest version, just launched, features an EPFL communication-efficient training algorithm that even helps the planet. 

Using algorithms to improve car-sharing systems

Published:15.02.21 — For his PhD thesis at EPFL, Martin Repoux examined solutions for improving how car-sharing systems manage their fleets and parking places. The models he created, particularly for a car-sharing provider in Grenoble, France, helped boost the service levels and increase profitability.