Eindhoven Engine News – March 2025
In this edition of Eindhoven Engine News: Innovation accelerator Eindhoven Engine enters new phase, Transforming basic skills support with AI and more!
What else is happening at Eindhoven Engine?
New interns
Eindhoven Engine welcomed a vibrant group of new interns in 2025. Get to know them from left to right. Additionally, four bachelor students from TU/e have started. Over the coming months, they will focus on the climate-adaptive region, working one day a week.
We wish them good luck! We hope the interns gain valuable experience and bring fresh insights to the various programs at Eindhoven Engine. Everyone can make impact on society!
- Cathelijne Brantjes | Human & Technology, 4th year, Avans University of Applied Sciences | Inclusive Society
Research on making blended care more understandable at general practitioners’ offices for people aged 18-40 with reduced digital skills.
- Hilde Schram | Strategic Communication, HBO Master, Fontys University of Applied Science | Communication
Eindhoven Engine focuses on the complex challenges our society faces. Addressing these challenges requires a specific approach. Hilde is researching how this approach can be tackled through strategic communication.
- Levi Deerenberg | Business Innovation, 4th year, Avans University of Applied Sciences | Livable Region
Develop a concept that reduces energy consumption at the residential towers Luna & Aurora on the TU/e-campus by actively influencing the behavior of the residents.
- Ivory Johan | Business Innovation, 4th year, Avans University of Applied Sciences | Livable Region
Develop an innovative concept to increase the engagement and participation of students and staff on the TU/e campus around sustainability, by connecting them with sustainable innovations in an inspiring way.
- David Rozenberg | HBO-ICT (Software) , 4th year, Fontys University of Applied Science | Inclusive Society
Preparing the MetMij chatbot for deployment and real-world use. MetMij easily directs people with low basic skills to appropriate support agencies.
- Santiago Triginer | Industrial Engineering, 3rd year, Eindhoven University of Technology | Livable Region
Identifying challenges and solutions for solar panel reuse, and exploring how AI can enhance recycling processes.
- Mare Gijsbers | Business Innovation, 4th year, Avans University of Applied science | Inclusive Society
Develop a methodology to effectively and accessibly introduce the ‘Met Mij’ app to users with low literacy, enabling them to quickly and easily receive support to participate fully in society.
- Rosalie Hendriks | Business Innovation, 4th year, Avans University of Applied Sciences | Inclusive Society
Develop a new concept for people with low basic skills between the ages of 18 and 40 in the Eindhoven region, in such a way that these people can independently ensure the security of their financial situation.
Building a Healthier Future
My Journey at Eindhoven Engine
Hello, my name is Golnoosh Sabahifard, and I am currently pursuing my EngD traineeship at Eindhoven Engine. My focus is on the Livable Region program, where I am committed to enhancing the public well-being of residents.
At Eindhoven Engine, our mission is to create a sustainable and livable Brainport region where everyone can live healthily and safely. Our goals include reducing health disparities in neighbourhoods by 20% and adding three healthy living years for every person.
Understanding public well-being
Public well-being is influenced by eight factors: loneliness, stress, fewer years of good perceived health, lack of green spaces, noise pollution, population density, and distance to basic facilities. My research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of current assessment tools and developing a dynamic model that visually illustrates how these factors interact to affect urban health.
The importance of interactive and dynamic analysis
The built environment significantly impacts public well-being, influencing both mental and physical health. Traditional urban assessment tools often lack interactive and dynamic analysis, making it difficult to estimate the long-term impacts of various elements.
My traineeship aims to change this. I am using Vensim, a visual modeling tool, to provide a data-driven, visual method that helps stakeholders understand how small changes in urban planning can lead to significant health benefits. This approach is crucial for evidence-based urban planning, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions to create healthier, more sustainable cities.
Ultimately, this work will lay the foundation for future research on building healthy and sustainable urban environments.
Media: Technologie in de volwasseneneducatie (2)
Inclusive technology in educational pathways for adults
In an interview (in Dutch) with Lotte Geertsen (Program manager Inclusive Society) and Walter Baets (Wicked Problems officer), about technology in adult education, they explain that a different way of thinking is needed to innovate. Met Mij from Eindhoven Engine, is designed for people with lack of basic skills, is a perfect example.
𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑡𝑤𝑜-𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤. 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑛𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒.
[Article is in Dutch]
Eindhoven Engine News – December 2024
In this edition of Eindhoven Engine News: Innovation accelerator Eindhoven Engine enters new phase, Transforming basic skills support with AI and more!
What else is happening at Eindhoven Engine?
Transforming basic skills support with ai
For over two years, the Inclusive Society focus area at Eindhoven Engine has been tackling the complex issue of lack of basic skills. Driven by the belief that everyone deserves to participate fully in society, we have deeply explored this challenge to find ways to bridge the gap between individuals with low literacy skills and the broader community.
Jéssica Goss, EngD Doctorate in Designing Human-Systems Interaction, joined Eindhoven Engine two years ago to research effective methods to support this group. Her work has been instrumental in shaping our approach.
Met Mij
Met Mij aims to connect individuals with basic literacy needs to the social services available in the Eindhoven region. Despite the presence of over 200 organizations, 8 out of 10 people initially find themselves in the wrong place, leading to feelings of shame and insecurity. By addressing this mismatch and the stigma faced by individuals aged 16 to 40—the hardest group to reach—we are creating an ecosystem where help is both accessible and effective. Our goal is to understand each person’s unique needs, connect them with the right local support, and build their confidence and independence by ensuring they receive the correct assistance on the first try.
A human-centric design approach & AI
We use a human-centric design approach combined with advanced AI technology to provide personalized and stigma-free assistance. Through “Mijke,” our WhatsApp matchbot, users can access services by simply typing or speaking a message. This method ensures ease of use and meets the target group where they are—online. By collaborating with local organizations, we continuously refine Mijke based on real-world feedback, creating a seamless connection between technology and human needs.
Working together with CSU
Most recently, Met Mij participated in CSU’s Innovation Award 2024 and advanced to the semi-finals. Although it did not win, CSU, a professional cleaning company in The Netherlands, recognized the potential of the solution and initiated further collaboration with Eindhoven Engine to test and refine Mijke with their employees. The ongoing tests made by the team have received positive feedback, offering essential insights to improve the tool and ensure it creates a meaningful impact for those it aims to support.
Building a more inclusive Eindhoven
Join us in making Met Mij a reality!
Whether you want to test the tool, contribute your technological expertise, or support us with funding, your involvement is invaluable. Together, we can create a future where everyone has access to the support they need, exactly when they need it. Let’s build a more inclusive Eindhoven and expand this vision to other cities and countries.
Inclusive society
In the Netherlands, 2.5 million people struggle with reading, writing, arithmetic and/or digital skills. These people are confronted with immense challenges on a daily basis, which seriously hinders their participation in society. Eindhoven Engine emphasizes the urgency of this problem and the need for action.
Media: Technologie in de volwasseneneducatie (1)
Inclusive technology in educational pathways for adults
At Eindhoven Engine, we are dedicated to leveraging AI technology to support individuals who struggle with reading and writing, helping them better integrate into society and mitigate the challenges they face.
Our Inclusive Society team has developed the Mijke Tool, an innovative solution integrated into WhatsApp. This tool provides easy access to the right services and assistance for those in need. In a recent article, Ina den Hollander and Ben Vaske from oefenen.nl showcased various applications, including Mijke, demonstrating how AI can foster greater inclusivity. Together, we are making strides towards a more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑡𝑤𝑜-𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤. 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 two ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒.
[article is in Dutch]
Media: Innovation accelerator Eindhoven Engine enters new phase
Technology with a clear social purpose an starting with the problem.
As a society, we face numerous challenges. At Eindhoven Engine, a collaborative program between companies, knowledge institutions, social organizations and citizens in the Brainport region, work has been going on for years on innovations to address these problems. Now the program is breaking new ground.
Source: Eindhoven University of Technology
Media: Technologie met een duidelijk maatschappelijk doel:
[Dutch]
Innovatieversneller Eindhoven Engine gaat nieuwe fase in
Als maatschappij staan we voor talloze uitdagingen. Bij Eindhoven Engine, een samenwerkingsprogramma tussen bedrijven, kennisinstellingen, maatschappelijke organisaties en burgers in de Brainportregio, wordt er al jaren gewerkt aan innovaties om deze problemen het hoofd te bieden. Nu slaat het programma een nieuwe weg in.
Source: Innovation Origins
Eindhoven Engine at Dutch Design Week 2024
During the week of October 19 to 27, the annual Dutch Design Week took place. From Monday to Friday during DDW, Eindhoven Engine conducted the workshop ‘Aahh, I don’t get it!!’ at the Plug-in Pavilion on Strijp-S.
As part of the Inclusive Society program, Eindhoven Engine addresses the societal challenge that 2.5 million people struggle with reading, writing, arithmetic, and/or digital skills, which affects them daily. We received over 100 registrations, and ultimately, 123 participants attended, spread over the five days. We are very pleased with the turnout and are happy to have inspired so many people and raised awareness!
- More about Inclusive Society
