大象传媒

Seeking to counter a microchip shortage, the EU unveiled a plan to boost manufacturing. Some $49bn in subsidies are proposed to try and ensure 20% of the world's microchips are produced in Europe by 2030. Jan-Peter Kleinhans from technology think tank SNV in Berlin assesses whether that is a realistic target. Also in the programme, the oil giant BP has posted $12.8bn in profits for the past year, its highest level for eight years. It has led to calls for a windfall tax on oil companies in the United Kingdom, as we hear from Tom Wilson, senior energy correspondent at the Financial Times. The 大象传媒's Justin Rowlatt reports on new technologies that might help mitigate the environmental impact of so-called 'fast fashion', which are clothes that often end up in landfill. Plus, we explore the potential for robot cats and dogs, designed to interact with their owners, including mimicking their heartbeats and breathing, with Ted Fischer, co-founder of Ageless Innovation which is behind the devices.

(Picture: Microchips on a silicon wafer. Picture credit: Getty Images.)