Driverless cars could play a part in preventing future pandemics

Opinion: Driverless cars and automotive technology could play a key role in managing future pandemics. Published by Irish Tech News, on Tuesday, 11 May, 2020.   Highly automated vehicles could offer an effective way to identify infectious people at the earliest stage possible and thereby help to protect the most vulnerable in our society.China, where...

Contact-tracing app must be limited and transparent

While well-intentioned, the HSE’s smartphone proposal raises many questions and could have serious consequences for privacy protection Published by The Business Post, Friday, 01 May 2020 The Irish government is seeking to manage a way out of lockdown that will allow at least some of the population to return to work, lessening the economic impact...

A beginner’s guide to getting your business online

Lero and Maynooth University PhD student Artem Bielozorov outlines the first five steps to quickly build an online business presence. Published on SiliconRepublic.com, Thursday, 23 Apr 2020 Regardless how big or robust your business is, establishing a strong online presence has never been more important. It allows businesses to engage and interact with a wider audience,...

Public survey on social media activity during Covid-19

Researchers at Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, and the Open University have launched a survey to understand how Irish people are interacting online via social media during the Covid-19 period of physical distancing. The survey which hopes to attract participants from Ireland and Northern Ireland can be accessed here. The study explores social behaviour...

How video games can beat social isolation during the lockdown

Opinion: video games offer a quick, convenient and easy way to be social, competitive and to challenge our brains Published on RTE, Wednesday, 8 Apr 2020 By Niall Ramsbottom, Adam Toth and Mark Campbell, University of Limerick During this period of quarantine and physical distancing, it is important for us all to keep in touch with those closest to us...

Dr Martina Prendergast appointed as international funding manager

Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, has appointed an International Funding Manager. The strategic appointment is key to achieving the centre’s goals of securing international investment in its leading-edge research. Hosted by the University of Limerick (UL) Lero brings together expert software teams from universities and institutes of technology across Ireland in...

SFI, IRC and HRB statement on COVID-19

The Health Research Board (HRB), Irish Research Council (IRC) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) are fully aware that the current situation regarding the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is having a significant impact on the research and innovation community, both in Ireland and internationally. We anticipate that the precise nature of these impacts may evolve over the...

Norwegian Ambassador visit to Lero

The Norwegian ambassador to Ireland met a Smart Cities delegation from Lero, the SFI Research Centre for Software, at University of Limerick recently. A welcome reception for the Norwegian delegation was held at Plassey House and hosted by UL Deputy President, Mr Gerry O’Brien. Her Excellency Else Berit Eikeland, Ambassador of Norway to Ireland then...

Rise of software poses challenges for all, research chief says

Interview: Ubiquity of software poses new ethical dilemmas, Lero director Brian Fitzgerald says Published by The Irish Times, on Thursday, 27 Feb, 2020 Every business is now a software business in one way or another. That’s the view of Lero director Brian Fitzgerald, who points out that everything from medical devices to lawnmowers now has...

Workers will need to plan if they want to adapt to artificial intelligence

Lero research fellow Dr Veeresh Thummadi discusses why workers will need to be open and willing to break habits in the face of AI and automation. Published on SiliconRepublic.com, Monday, 17 Feb 2020 The advance of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation means that workers will need to prepare for the worst by developing long-term career...