LSN : Big Ideas

Big Ideas

Google wants to improve human-machine relations

US – The mega-system’s People + AI Research initiative is designed to help people to better understand machine learning systems.

Big Ideas

Solar paint turns water vapour into energy

Australia – Developed by researchers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, the paint absorbs water vapour and splits it to generate hyd...

Architecture : Design : Technology

Big Ideas

Sugar-averse consumers melt ice cream sales

Global – Sales of the frozen dessert have plummeted globally, according to research by Mintel.

Food : Luxury : Wellness

Big Ideas

Tencent restricts children’s gaming sessions

China – The internet and social media giant wants to curb addiction to its most popular game.

Media : Digital : Technology

Big Ideas

Uber remains Millennials’ favourite brand

Global – Despite a backlash against the company, Uber’s customer base is growing, according to the YouGov BrandIndex.

Advertising : Branding : Automotive

Big Ideas

European Parliament calls for easier product repairs

Global – The European Parliament is calling for measures to ensure longer product lifespans and make repairs easier.

Technology : Design : Digital

Big Ideas

Pollution capitals: Paris

Paris – With around 48,000 premature deaths a year attributed to air pollution by France’s public health authority, the problem is becoming increas...

Technology : Digital : Health

Big Ideas

How to build a smog-free city

We catalogue five brands developing new technologies, devices and materials to help build a cleaner urban environment.

Sustainability : Urbanism : Architecture

Big Ideas

Sephora moves to sell crowdsourced beauty products

Global – The beauty retailer will stock five of collaborative beauty brand Volition’s best-selling products.

Beauty : Digital : Retail

Big Ideas

Volvo announces its move to electric

Global – All of the car manufacturer’s vehicles will be fully electric or hybrid from 2019.

Auto : Sustainability : Technology

Big Ideas

Omni facilitates the sharing of stored items

San Francisco – On-demand storage start-up Omni enables users to rent out their stored items to the local community.

Retail : Fashion : Interiors

Big Ideas

This AI system can detect poverty-stricken areas

US – Penny uses satellite imagery data to predict the quality of life in an urban environment.

Technology : Digital : Artificial Intelligence

Big Ideas

MissionU announces industry-focused curriculum

San Francisco – The programme is designed to give students the skills and experience they need to launch their career.

Educational : Digital : Technology

Big Ideas

Italbugs is looking to make silkworm waste edible

Italy – The company wants to repurpose waste silk from the fashion sector in order to create a high-protein flour.

Food : Fashion : Wellness

Big Ideas

Food bank use in the UK is on the rise

UK – A new study by Oxford University warns of mounting poverty due to welfare changes.

Food : Finance : Culture

Big Ideas

Cruise ships produce dangerously high amounts of pollution

Global – Levels of on-board ultra-fine particle pollutants are causing concern among medical scientists and environmentalists.

Travel : Hospitality : Pollution

Big Ideas

Nike+ is using AR to re-imagine the sneaker drop

New York – By pointing their camera at particular real-life objects, users of the SNKRS app can buy limited-edition products.

Digital : Fashion : Retail

Big Ideas

Google develops a new virtual reality ad format

US – The concept was created by Area 120, Google’s internal workshop for the development of experimental ideas.

Advertising : Digital : Technology

Big Ideas

Panasonic unveils new deodorising coat hanger

Osaka – The hanger is said to eliminate all odour, as well as any pollen on the garment.

Technology : Fashion : Digital

Big Ideas

Investment tool Wahed is compliant with Sharia law

US – The platform uses algorithms and digital investment resources to open up investment opportunities for Muslims.

Finance : Digital : Technology

Big Ideas

The ideas and innovations that hint at the future of the consumer landscape