News EPFL

Reserve your driving time to reduce traffic congestion

Published:10.12.18 — For his thesis, EPFL PhD student Raphaël Lamotte studied rush-hour traffic congestion. He suggests implementing a system whereby commuters reserve time on a special traffic lane – like booking a seat on a flight – to help cities accommodate a growing number of car-sharing programs and, eventually, self-driving cars.

EPFL's founder passes away in his 101st year

Published:07.12.18 — Maurice Cosandey, EPFL’s founder and its president from 1963 to 1978, died on Tuesday in his 101st year. When he became the director of the École polytechnique de l’université de Lausanne (EPUL) in 1963, Maurice began realizing his vision of turning EPUL into a federal institute – now known as EPFL. He leaves us just as our school gets ready to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.

“Data protection policies that seem clear are often ambiguous"

Published:07.12.18 — A new EU regulation that went into effect in May has prompted consumers to pay more attention to how websites use the personal data they collect. With Polisis, an AI-based program developed at EPFL, consumers can get quick, easy-to-read summaries of websites’ data protection policies. And the program is becoming highly popular – EPFL’s Technology Transfer Office has received numerous license requests. Hamza Harkous, one of the software developers, is pleasantly surprised at its success and has just entered into a license agreement with US-based search engine DuckDuckGo. We spoke with Harkous about his one-of-a-kind program.

EPFL part of Europe's largest research initiative on urban mobility

Published:05.12.18 — The MOBiLus consortium, made up of nearly 50 organizations including EPFL, has just won major EU financing to study new approaches to urban transportation.

Bringing La Buvette d'Evian back to life

Published:05.12.18 — In a new book, EPFL researchers trace the history of La Buvette d’Evian – a former lakeside refreshment area that is also an icon of modern architecture. With some light renovation work, La Buvette could reinvigorate the entire region. The book launch will take place on 6 December at EPFL.

Astrocast successfully launches its first satellite

Published:04.12.18 — Yesterday evening, Astrocast – a young start-up spun out of EPFL – launched its first demonstration satellite intended to test its Internet-of-Things system. It was put into orbit by a SpaceX rocket that took off from California.

EPFL delivers Switzerland's first Certificates of Open Studies

Published:30.11.18 — Last fall, EPFL introduced a new continuing education program whereby participants earn a Certificate of Open Studies (COS) – the only one of its kind in Switzerland. The first COSs were handed out at a ceremony this past Thursday.