Lululemon is best-known for gym clothes, but the gym isn’t an option in areas hard-hit by the pandemic — so it’s finding a way to foster workouts at home. The company has bought home fitness startup Mirror for $500 million to “accelerate the growth of personalized in-home fitness.” While Lululemon didn’t say how the technology would evolve, it said Mirror would operate as a standalone company with Brynn Putnam remaining as CEO.
Sales of Mirror’s connected exercise display could keep demand for apparel going regardless of how long gyms remain closed. As TechCrunchobserves, though, this also gives Lululemon a convenient opportunity to compete against Peloton, Tonal and others making smart home fitness equipment. Don’t be surprised if Mirror steps up development of its signature product and makes it more widely available.
Performance engineering will be riskier than Moore’s Law ever was. Companies may not know the benefits of their efforts until after they’ve invested substantial programmer time. And speed-ups may be sporadic, uneven, and unpredictable. But as we reach the physical limits of microprocessors, focusing on software performance engineering seems like the best option for most programmers to get more out of their computers.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: this is a well known fact, developers are lazy as often the hardware is more powerful than what they need to do the job. But as we reach limits of hardware and as AI improves it seems that we may be able to throw software at the problem and have machine algorithms to improve the performance of systems. The impacts are high, from allowing less powerful hardware to run your app or reducing the cost in high volume applications (think data centers or the billions of internet of things devices).
Read the full paper onScience or just the abstract to get an overview here:
Every Western institution was unprepared for the coronavirus pandemic, despite many prior warnings. This monumental failure of institutional effectiveness will reverberate for the rest of the decade, but it's not too early to ask why, and what we need to do about it... Our nation and our civilization were built on production, on building. We built roads and trains, farms and factories, then the computer, the microchip, the smartphone, and uncounted thousands of other things that we now take for granted, that are all around us, that define our lives and provide for our well-being. There is only one way to create the future we want for our own children and grandchildren, and that's to build.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: I spent the better part of my life moving physical processes in the digital world. Now the pendulum shifts and we must pour our engineering energy into building things locally - using digital processes, techniques, technologies, from 3D printing to robots to IOT. This is the next 20 years.
The internet has changed the way we work, interact and learn with others across the world. How many people in the world are online, and how has this changed over time? Explore global and country-level data on internet access and technology.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: we take it for granted because 90% of the population in Canada has access to the Internet. This summary of facts about Internet adoption should make us all realize that: 1) the growth has been very fast 2) not everyone in the world has the same chance 3) newer technologies based on Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things and soon AR/VR will leverage this infrastructure to deliver even more transformation
In the connected era, an increasing number of IoT solutions will make our homes, public areas and workplaces, smarter. Building managers will have access to real-time, cloud-based analytics, reporting and services, allowing for informed decision making. With the increasing market demands for cost-saving occupancy comfort solutions, connected technologies are well-positioned to meet the needs of the automated building industry. From fire detection to temperature control and energy management, these applications are a part of a growing market. In fact, Allied Market Research forecasts that by 2024, the global intelligent building market will be valued at over $42 billion. Additionally, a recent Research and Markets report estimates that over 483 million IoT-based building solutions will be installed by 2022. To support this growth, IoT-based building solutions require reliable technology that will enable full use of its connective capabilities in a complex environment.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: new technologies and protocols are needed to make Inter of Things a reality. Here is a good overview of the LPWAN and LoRaWAN usage in smart building.
IoT has been and will be the talk of the town for many years to come. Learn the latest internet of things statistics, forecasts and facts for 2019.
The IoT is defined by everyday objects, interconnected via the internet in order to send and receive data. The reason why we connect these objects is simple: for convenience. To help you understand this technology better in 2019, we’ve created the following list of Internet of Things statistics.
Being able to arm your security system remotely, or start your washer, turn your lights on or off, or adjust the thermostat while being nowhere near them is a convenience our grandparents fantasized about. Looks like we will probably never have to worry about leaving the stove on again.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: with everything connected to the Internet, possibilities are endless, for good and bad...
La problématique à laquelle nous faisions face était de savoir comment améliorer l’expérience client tout en créant un moment privilégié entre les vendeurs et les clients. De ce fait, grâce au cintre connecté, le vendeur deviendra davantage un conseiller stylistique et le client pourra immédiatement consulter les tailles disponibles, le prix et essayer un vêtement qui lui sera directement amené en cabine.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: the equipment in stores is bound to change in the coming years. Here a great example of this innovation. The clothes hanger is connected to provide information and connects the customer to the clothes and the fitting rooms. Great product prototype, would love to have access to the analytics data that was collected on its usage. Would also love to see the operations and maintenance knowledge they gathered during the tests (breaking, malfunctions, stolen, etc.)...
Whether it was here on Hackaday or elsewhere on the Internet, you’ve surely heard more than a few cautionary tales about the “Internet of Things” by now. As it turns out, giving every gadget you own access to your personal information and Internet connection can lead to unintended consequences. Who knew, right? But if you need yet another example of why trusting your home appliances with your secrets is potentially a bad idea, [Limited Results] is here to make sure you spend the next few hours doubting your recent tech purchases.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: the article explains how this team has successfully retrieved private information from discarded connected devices. It raises concerns about the disposal of connected products which, has everyone knows, will soon included pretty much everything in our homes and offices, from lightbulbs to refrigerators.
Here’s a look at how the forces of IoT tech and data collection are already shaking the retail world, even as consumer activity becomes folded into the overall smart city experience.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: when Forbes starts to investigate a topic then it often means it is top of mind to its readers. This article provides isights into what is being deployed in retail stores using internet of things technologies.
To support this process we have developed a comprehensive framework that combines four clusters of enablers for digital transformation (shown in the figure below). The “4E-Framework” gives companies a structured approach to analyze and build capabilities that position their business in a rapidly changing commercial environment. In practice, this framework enables companies to focus activities and resources on key strategic areas, and to measure the results.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: a framework developed by IOT pioneers Bosch Innovation.
Cutting-edge technology gives a glimpse into the future of how things will get made, and what manufacturers must do to stay relevant.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: factories are being transformed by digital at a rapid pace and this paper provides insights into that transformation, including how technologies are being deployed today.
Veronika Brandt is Head of IoT Business Consulting at Bosch Software Innovations. She focuses on developing and implementing best practices for the strategic planning of IoT solutions, both within the Bosch Group and with external customers.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: this webinar on IOT business models describes a framework to help organizations craft their IOT strategy. A training class on the framework is offered by IOT Canada in Montreal in December here: www.iotcanada.io/business-model-training
The world first fall detection eyewear that requests for help when you need it.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: connected objects will include all kind of things - here glasses - that will transform daily lives. The device includes a fall detection module that triggers when the wearer falls and triggers an alert to inform emergency services. 4 month battery life and integration of prescription glasses
At a glance: IoT in 2017 IoT is at the core of digital transformation in the enterprise. It’s changing the playing field for organizations in every sector—helping them increase operational efficiency and grow their businesses. Organizations have so far focused on simple use cases to track data and send status alerts. But, in 2017, IoT has become enterprise-grade. IoT platforms are providing a single environment for developing and managing applications. New low-power networks are enabling organizations to deploy IoT quicker—helping lower costs.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: this report presents useful framework and use cases for IOT in retail. Moreover it highlights the importance of communications networks in the deployment and operations of IOT solutions.
IoT in Retail Market size was valued at over USD 9 billion in 2016 and will grow at more than 19% CAGR to 2024 led by digital signage, payments and supply chain management applications.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: internet connected objects will impact the retail industry and make possible the new shopping experience that has been put forward by marketers and innovative store owners. Here the report proposes a framework to consider when preparing an IOT strategy.
The retail industry is seeing a rapid transformation, with The Internet of Things (IoT) solutions taking the center stage in the sector. Having plenty of applications, IoT helps increase customer loyalty, boost sales, offer a personalized experience, and improve inventory management. Here we explore some of those use cases.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: internet connected objects will impact the retail industry and make possible the new shopping experience that has been put forward by marketers and innovative store owners. Here the article discusses smart shelves, beacons, display signage and robot technology.
The analysis of Internet of Things (IoT) data is quickly becoming a mainstream activity. I’ve written about the Analytics of Things (AoT) before (some examples here, here, and here). For this blog, I’m going to focus on a few unique challenges that you’ll most likely encounter as you move to take IoT data into the AoT realm.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: as I work with colleagues to bring IOT into retail stores, challenges are many including those highlighted here.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution represents a fundamental change in the way we live, work and relate to one another. It is a new chapter in human development, enabled by extraordinary technology advances commensurate with those of the first, second and third industrial revolutions. These advances are merging the physical, digital and biological worlds in ways that create both huge promise and potential peril. The speed, breadth and depth of this revolution is forcing us to rethink how countries develop, how organisations create value and even what it means to be human. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is about more than just technology-driven change; it is an opportunity to help everyone, including leaders, policy-makers and people from all income groups and nations, to harness converging technologies in order to create an inclusive, human-centred future. The real opportunity is to look beyond technology, and find ways to give the greatest number of people the ability to positively impact their families, organisations and communities.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: the world economic forum provides a trove of useful data and analysis on topics related to the 4th industrial revolution. It provides useful insight into key digital technologies related to that topics as well.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is about more than just technology-driven change; it is an opportunity to help everyone, including leaders, policy-makers and people from all income groups and nations, to harness converging technologies in order to create an inclusive, human-centred future. The real opportunity is to look beyond technology, and find ways to give the greatest number of people the ability to positively impact their families, organisations and communities.
Think of the trends we’ve seen emerge in recent years:
Sensors and actuators, including implantables and wearables, that let us capture more data and impressions from more objects in more places, and that affect the environment around them.
Ubiquitous computing and hyperconnectivity, which exponentially increase the flow of data between people and devices and among devices themselves.
Nanotechnology and nanomaterials, which let us build ever more complex devices at microscopic scale.
Artificial intelligence, in which algorithms become increasingly capable of making decisions based on past performance and desired results.
Vision as an interface to participate in and control augmented and virtual reality
Blockchain technology, which makes all kinds of digital transactions secure, verifiable, and potentially automatic.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: the number of devices connected to the Internet will dwarf anything else we've seen since the early web and usher an era of machine-to-machine and AI infused solutions, further bridging the real-world and the digital world.
Upcoming trends in the field of the Internet of Things (IoT). A cognitive map which depicts popular phrases and subjects for IoT in the patents database.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: this analysis of 90M patents highlights the most important applications of Internet Of Things.
With a growing demand from retailers to solve evermore complex problems, retail analytics technologies have grown in sophistication and capabilities, and new sensor fusion is bringing multiple technologies into a single, easy-to-deploy instrument.
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: this webinar provides a very good explanation of different sensors that can be deployed in store, with descriptions of PROS and CONS for each one. Obviously it is specific to the products from RetailNext that provide a sensor-fusion device.
This article serves as a briefing on how various industries can strategically utilize emerging technologies in and around the world today. This is not an exhaustive list, but rather an introduction…
Farid Mheirs insight:
WHY IT MATTERS: my digital transformation framework includes such an opportunity matrix to help executives explore what is possible to do with digital technologies. This list can thus be a useful starting point for such exploration.
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Lululemon is best-known for gym clothes, but the gym isn’t an option in areas hard-hit by the pandemic — so it’s finding a way to foster workouts at home. The company has bought home fitness startup Mirror for $500 million to “accelerate the growth of personalized in-home fitness.” While Lululemon didn’t say how the technology would evolve, it said Mirror would operate as a standalone company with Brynn Putnam remaining as CEO.
Sales of Mirror’s connected exercise display could keep demand for apparel going regardless of how long gyms remain closed. As TechCrunch observes, though, this also gives Lululemon a convenient opportunity to compete against Peloton, Tonal and others making smart home fitness equipment. Don’t be surprised if Mirror steps up development of its signature product and makes it more widely available.