Tag Archives: wearable technology

Wearable technology is taking off in a big way. It seems as if every day brings a new product to market. One of the latest combination of fashion and wearable tech is Levi’s new Commuter Trucker jacket. Using Google’s Jacquard technology, the jacket enables the wearer to access phone and mobile apps wirelessly. For example, cyclists could easily get an estimated ETA for a destination, silence a call, or adjust the volume on their headset.

The Project Jacquard technology allows users to use gestures such as tapping or swiping on a sleeve to activate different functions. Technology sensors are woven into the fabric. Connection points are located in button-holes of the jacket. Wearers can do more than just make calls though. The jacket is compatible with Spotify, Google Maps, and Strava.

And, if you spill coffee on the sleeve, don’t worry – it can all go into the washing machine.

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

1. Discuss the difficulties staying connected and in control of devices while cycling.
2. Show the information about Google Project Jacquard: https://atap.google.com/jacquard/
3. Show the video of the technology:

https://youtu.be/qObSFfdfe7I

4. Bring up on the screen the announcement from Levi’s: http://levistrauss.com/unzipped-blog/2016/05/function-meets-fashion-levis-commuter-x-jacquard-by-google/
5. Divide students into teams. Determine the marketing mix, including target market, price, and distribution.

Source: Brandchannel.com

One can always tell tourists in a city. They are the people with their heads in a map, trying to figure out which direction to walk next to get to a destination. Wouldn’t it be nice to automatically have your feet take you to a desired location – without consulting a map?

A new product from EasyJet, UK’s budget airline, does just that with a new product called Sneakairs. Sneakairs are smart shoes that know where the wearer is heading, and vibrate to tell which direction to turn. No map. No guidebooks. Just shoes and a smart phone.

The shoes use a battery and a mini Bluetooth unit that fits into the sole of each shoe. Once the shoes know the destination via Google Maps, they vibrate to tell the wearer which direction to turn. Different vibrations indicate the direction – left foot buzz means turn left, right foot buzz means turn right, both shoes buzzing at the same time means you are off the path, and three buzzes indicate that you have reached your destination. If you stop for coffee unexpectedly, don’t worry – the app will automatically reroute to keep you on track.

Go ahead – explore a new city!

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

1. Discuss the difficulties of traveling and navigating in a strange city. Ask students what they do when traveling somewhere new.
2. View Sneakairs Web site:

http://www.barcelonastreetproject.com/

3. Divide students into teams. Have each team design a new product that will help travelers.
4. Determine the marketing mix, including target market, price, and distribution.

Source: Wired

Summer has arrived (almost) and it brings a plethora of new technology-based fitness devices. Whether an athlete is a runner, golfer, basketball player, or just plain health-conscious, there are new devices that fit into all athletic sports and lifestyles.

Here are few of the new devices:

• Wilson X Connected basketball has small sensors embedded inside to record made and missed shots. The ball meets regulation size and weights. Data helps analyze efficiency from all over the court. Price: $199.
• UA HealthBox from Under Armour includes a wristband, scale, and heart-rate monitor with an app to collect the data including calories, distance, weight, body fat, and heart-rate. Price: $400.
• Sensoria Fitness Smart Socks transmit data to a mobile app via anklets connected to the socks. The socks have textile sensors woven into the fabric that provide real-time feedback on foot landing, pace, cadence, and speed. Price: $159
• Are you ready to ramp up your fitness?
• Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

1. Discuss the growth of wearable technology in the market. Who is the target market for devices?
2. Poll students: What wearable devices do they have, or want?
3. Divide students into teams. Have each team examine one of the following devices. For each device have students analyze the 4 Ps.
4. UA HealthBox: https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/healthbox
5. Wilson X Basketball: http://www.wilson.com/en-us/explore/basketball/wx.html
6. Jaybird X2 headphones: http://www.jaybirdsport.com/x2-bluetooth-headphones/
7. Fitbit Blaze: https://www.fitbit.com/blaze
8. Smart Socks: http://www.sensoriafitness.com/
9. Ampy Move: http://www.getampy.com/ampy-move

Source: New York Times