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
Eindhoven Engine News – October 2024
In this edition of Eindhoven Engine News: our participation in Dutch Design Week 2024 with ‘Aahh, ik snap het niet!! workhop, more about the upcoming Festival of Disruption, and project updates!
What else is happening at Eindhoven Engine?
Innovative solution for grid congestion: GENIUS project
As energy demands continue to rise, many regions, including the Brainport region, are facing significant grid congestion challenges. These issues hinder the efficient use and storage of renewable energy, putting strain on the local electricity network. With ambitious sustainability goals in place, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions to optimize energy management and ensure a stable grid.
Introducing the GENIUS project
A promising answer to these pressing issues is the GENIUS project (Grid Efficiency and Network Integration for Universal Sustainability). With €1 million in funding, the GENIUS project is set to pioneer energy efficiency and tackle grid congestion challenges. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving 13 partners, including Eindhoven Engine, and is part of its Livable Regions program
A blueprint for nationwide application
The project aims to smartly address grid congestion, enhance connectivity, and create a sustainable testing ground for innovations. With the GENIUS project, the TU/e campus will become a smart lab for energy transition solutions. Ultimately, this project will served as a blueprint for efficiently managing energy demand. The goal is to develop solutions that can be applied to approximately 3,500 industrial sites across the Netherlands, ensuring a more stable and efficient energy network.
For more details, check out the article published by Innovation Origins.
New project videos: Advanced piezo-electric wafer stage project
Keeping up with the demand for manufacturing growth is the main challenge for the entire semiconductor industry. The Eindhoven Engine OpenCall project ‘Advanced long-range piezo-electric wafer stage’ therefore aims to demonstrate the feasibility of an ultra-short stroke stage using lightweight and compact piezo-electric actuators.
Ron de Bruijn – PhD candidate TU/e
My research is about wafer stages that are driven by piezoelectric actuators. These actuators make a mechanical contact between the rest of the machine and the wafer stage. Minimal disturbance or vibration in the rest of the machine could actually affect a wafer position.
Gregor van Baars – Projectlead TU/e & Systems engineer TNO
ASML is extremely successful with their current technology. The question lies in how much room there is for expansion. This research begins from a completely different standpoint, offering significant advantages but also presenting numerous challenges.
ThinkWave: empowering innovation, one move at a time
Hi, I’m Kay Smits (23 years old), a business innovation graduate now pursuing a master’s in data science and working one day a week at Eindhoven Engine. For my bachelor’s thesis, I explored the ever-evolving field of innovation management and how we can better measure and stimulate innovation processes. This journey led me to Eindhoven Engine, where I had the exciting opportunity to dive deeper into what really drives successful innovation.
A strategic platform
After months of research into factors like technology push, market pull, and open innovation, I developed ThinkWave – a virtual tool that brings together the best methods to manage and stimulate innovation. It’s more than just a game; it’s a strategic platform where technology meets market demands and collaboration opens doors to forward-thinking solutions.
Unique innovation journey
Why am I sharing this? Because ThinkWave isn’t just about theory – it’s about practice. It helps you navigate your unique innovation journey, offering a flexible, structured framework. Think of it as a playground where ideas are organized, visualized, and challenged to grow beyond traditional boundaries. The tool allows you to customize your approach based on your project’s needs, helping you identify which strategies can truly drive impact.
ThinkWave: unlocks new ways to manage and stimulate your innovation journey.
The biggest difference in your innovation process
Our goal at Eindhoven Engine is simple: to help you pinpoint where we can make the biggest difference in your innovation process. We’re committed to contributing to durable, future-proof, startups and organizations, and ThinkWave is just one way we’re doing that.
Are you ready to challenge your innovation process? Let ThinkWave take you further. Do you want to know more about this innovation tool? Please contact Kay Smits at k.smits@tue.nl
New students at Eindhoven Engine
In September, six talented students from Fontys, Avans, and TU/e joined Eindhoven Engine. They will contribute to our four key programs:
- Sustainable Semicon
- Future-Proof Care
- Inclusive Society
- and Livable Region.
Their mission? To devise innovative solutions to significant societal challenges, directly impacting our region. With their fresh perspectives and creative energy, they are set to turn theory into practice and bolster our mission.
In their first week, the students were immediately tasked with tackling issues within their respective pillars, generating their initial ideas. The first mini demo day showcased the students’ inspiring viewpoints and innovative thinking!
More students
Fontys Crossover Lab
In the Fontys Crossover Lab, 25 students are taking on the challenge of addressing a significant social issue. By thinking and acting radically, utilizing system analysis, and adopting a multi-disciplinary approach, they are working within the Inclusive Society framework. Each group aims to develop a design, proposal, or recommendation that addresses the complex problem of the lack of basic skills.
Our Bridge Builders team provides weekly inspiration and feedback, guiding the students throughout the project. Their efforts will culminate in a final exhibition at Fontys in November.
Project from Kempenhaeghe
Another 19 students have started at Eindhoven Engine. These students from Fontys Paramedic and Avans Business Innovation took up a challenge from Kempenhaeghe, a center of expertise for complex epilepsy, sleep disorders and neurological learning and developmental disorders, to strengthen the involvement of the community in care for residents of Kloostervelden, a neighborhood in the village of Sterksel, Noord-Brabant. In this neighborhood residents of Kempenhaeghe live together with regular residents of Sterksel .
This challenge provides multiple learning components for the students, addresses current challenges in specific domains for the clients, and contributes to Eindhoven Engine’s mission to tackle the larger ‘wicked problem’ of making healthcare in the Netherlands future-proof.
The program spans multiple years, with research results being handed over to new groups of students in a relay-like manner, ensuring a sustainable impact.