Zurich police ‘ban’ a robot from making food deliveries in the city; minister seeks clearer guidelines on language lessons in Swiss schools; and more news in our roundup on Monday.
Police intercept a ‘robot dog’ in Zurich
On the orders of the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA), police have stopped an attempt to use a delivery robot to transport kebabs to customers in Zurich.
Still in its testing phase, this robot has been ‘delivering’ food for about a week, before ASTRA classified it as a vehicle and is now requiring a safety inspection before further use.
You can see how this clever ‘delivery dog’ operates, here.
After this police action, the startup Rivr, which created the four-legged robot, is now considering relocating its operations abroad, as it sees too little scope for technological experimentation in Switzerland.
Minister calls for clear guidance on teaching national languages
Commenting on Zurich’s recent controversial decision to abolish French lessons in primary schools, Home Affairs Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider criticised this move as s step toward “devaluing the national culture and cohesion.”
“This is a development that I take very seriously,” she said.
Baume-Schneider pointed out that the Federal Council “trusts that the cantons will be able to regulate the language issue themselves. But we also know that the federal government has to act if the cantons can’t manage it.”
Therefore, “I am in favour of the federal government taking action and making national language teaching compulsory at primary school level,” she added.
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One of Switzerland’s main roads closes tonight
The much-travelled Gotthard road tunnel will be closed to traffic from today until Friday, September 18th.
It will be closed from 8 pm to 5 am for routine maintenance work, which includes checking the road surface, ventilation, and safety systems.
TCS motoring organisation recommends a detour via the Gotthard Pass.
Those willing to take longer routes can also use the San Bernardino Route (A13) or the Simplon Pass. However, these routes are expected to experience heavier traffic, especially during rush hour.
Gotthard closures are also scheduled for September 15th to 19th, September 22nd to 26th, and September 29th to October 3rd.
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Autumn session of the parliament begins today
MPs from both chambers of the parliament will debate, until September 26th, dozens of issues on their agenda.
They will also vote on matters left over from the previous sessions.
They include, among numerous others, the move to criminalise ‘obsessional stalking’; approval of individual taxation of married couples; as well as the federal law on National Economic Supply, aiming to guarantee the country’s supply of essential goods and services in the event of a serious shortage.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch
