September 17, 2024

Electric Vehicles going offline as companies go bust

29 minutes

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Drivers of electric vehicles are finding their cars are going offline if the parent company is bankrupt. Smartphone apps linked to the cars, which control many features, don't work and when something goes seriously wrong, then there's no garage that can fix the problem. China, the world's biggest market for EV's, has seen government subsidies disappear as well as intense price wars between companies, leading to many startups failing. SOEP speaks to one driver in the UK who is facing similar issues after the California based car manufacture filed for bankruptcy.

AI pen that can read Braille

A pen that uses algorithms, a camera and a 19 channel sensor has been developed to help the visually impaired read Braille. The number of people who can read Braille is declining, yet it is used in many public spaces including lifts and transport hubs. Named the "Braille-tip", the compact soft tactile sensor can be added to a normal pen to help read Braille. Lead author Dr George Jenkinson from Bristol University in the UK is on the show.

The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Peter Guest.

More on this week's stories:

EV shutdowns in China

A sensory pen which can read Braille could improve literacy amongst the visually impaired

A robot that can detect breast cancer?

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Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Recording and audio editing : Lansons | Team Farner

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