Dual language with AI, Tent for A/C, BWM vision Neue Klasse #219 / September 8, 2023 (Fri) / Confidential |
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Despite the encouraging news of improved inflation in the United States and ongoing positive economic indicators, the on-the-ground experience may differ from what the headlines suggest. Just last year, restaurants around our company's office, where we used to wait for 20-30 minutes to dine, now have no waiting time and plenty of available tables. While rising food prices play a part, many are also considering alternative dining options that don't require hefty tips of 15-20%.
Even beloved items like the salads from Panera Bread, which used to fill their containers to the brim, now barely reach 3/5 full, and adding avocado yields only a small portion.
Labor Day holiday sales, which used to offer the best deals of the year, were notably absent this time, and I, like many others, refrained from making any purchases. Commercial buildings in the vicinity are often adorned with "For Lease" signs, and once-popular malls now have scattered vacant storefronts.
Consumption patterns have shifted significantly due to high interest rates, prompting US companies to undergo a phenomenon known as 'Quiet Quitting' through workforce reallocation. This involves swiftly reassigning long-time employees from one department to another, inducing voluntary departures as employees find it intolerable. This strategy substantially reduces the costs associated with severance pay.
The economic repercussions are also affecting college enrollment rates. According to a recent New York Times article, the percentage of high school graduates aspiring to attend college has plummeted from 74% a decade ago to a current 41%. As Elon Musk suggested, Generation Z feels that the knowledge needed for meaningful work in society is already confirmed by high school diplomas, and parents are increasingly averse to the idea of their children pursuing four-year degrees.
Over the past decade, tuition fees have risen by 12% (with an average annual tuition of $57,000 plus an additional $30,000 for housing and meals), turning college enrollment into a 'risky gamble.' Currently, 40% of American college students do not graduate, and the cost remains burdensome. Those who choose majors in the arts, humanities, or social sciences face a steep decline in wealth accumulation potential, worse than flipping a coin.
Considering the economic value of a college education may be a consequence of challenging economic times, but it also reflects the proactive decision-making of the young American generation regarding their future. While navigating the inflation swamp, let's hope for a brighter tomorrow where we can quickly leave it behind and look forward to the promising days ahead.
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🤗 Newletter Summary
01. Consumer Trend - Spanish or English? Fast food chain Checkers installs AI to take drive-thru orders in both
02 Design Trend - A 430-Square-Foot Tent You can Air Condition With Your EV
03 Automotive Weekly - BMW Vision Neue Klasse |
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Consumer Trend - Spanish or English? Fast food chain Checkers installs AI to take drive-thru orders in both
If the automotive industry has its Big 4, then the fast-food scene in the United States also boasts its own Big 4: McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, and Wendy's. Checkers, a hamburger joint representing Alabama, stands out with its 1950s-inspired black-and-white checkered tile décor, reminiscent of that era. Notably, Checkers has earned a reputation for its burgers, often deemed ten times tastier than McDonald's, thanks to the generous layers of cheese.
Beyond delicious burgers, Checkers has incorporated bilingual AI at its drive-thru terminals. The AI system automatically detects whether customers are conversing in English or Spanish and adapts its order assistance accordingly. This interactive AI, developed by Hi Auto, a specialist in restaurant-focused conversational AI solutions, has enabled chain restaurants at the drive-thru to accurately and instantly handle bilingual voice orders.
Surprisingly, the United States ranks as the fourth-largest Spanish-speaking country globally, with an estimated 27.5% of the U.S. population expected to be of Hispanic descent by 2060. Many people in the United States struggle to place food orders in English, but having the option to order in their native language or the language they are most comfortable with can make them feel more acknowledged and welcomed.
Conversational AI will continue to evolve as a means of enhancing the quality of service in the industry. It can engage with customers in their preferred language, remember their favorite beverage choices, and cater to their tastes. The potential for its application is boundless.
For brands like Kia, enhancing the sense of luxury and rolling out the red carpet for customers can involve contemplating how conversational AI can be utilized in those scenarios. The possibilities are endless for harnessing the power of conversational AI to elevate customer experiences.
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Design Trend - A 430-Square-Foot Tent You can Air Condition With Your EV
Although there are fewer days without fine dust pollution compared to before, when I lived in Korea, my parents used to ventilate the house several times a day. They would open all the windows, allowing the fresh air to circulate even during the chilly winter months.
In my current home in the United States, we also frequently open the windows for ventilation. However, back in college when I lived with American roommates, we rarely ventilated the room and relied more on air conditioning. To Americans, A/C encompasses a comprehensive concept of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and dehumidification (HVAC). With a single controller, we could set the temperature and determine humidity levels and airflow.
Even when camping, the functionality of the A/C is considered a vital issue for Americans. Companies like Magic Fort create spacious base camps, large enough to park vehicles, allowing them to regulate indoor temperatures with EV-powered systems in sealed camping areas.
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The expandable tent, which can be set up through hand-pumping, reaches heights of up to 3.5 meters and expands to an area of approximately 18 square meters. With partitioned sections, it offers the feeling of a typical household, allowing you to watch movies, dine, sleep, and more.
This base camp is not limited to camping and can be used as a versatile facility. From outdoor picnics to sports adventures, the potential of electric vehicle tents promises to provide Americans who are expanding their horizons in the realm of outdoor activities with new experiences. |
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Automotive Weekly - BMW Vision Neue Klasse
In the 1980s, BMW's models with their clean lines underwent a transformation over time, evolving into a somewhat perplexing design. However, the BMW Vision Neue Klasse concept recently unveiled at the IAA seems to quell this confusion.
Rather than focusing on creating an attention-grabbing grille design, the emphasis here is on form and proportion, resulting in a surprisingly clean and minimalist appearance. The striking diagonal design lines, creases, and sculptural elements harmoniously come together, exuding a confident and well-defined form. The organic creases on the front fenders convey a sense of robust muscularity.
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This concept, set to debut in 2025-2026 as the next-generation 3 Series sedan and showcasing the new design language of the future brand, offers a glimpse of the most dramatic design elements in the subtly inclined nose and exaggerated kidney grille. What stands out most is the gracefully pulsating lighting that makes the car appear as if it's breathing, rather than just a simple reinterpretation of classic 1960s models.
The narrow roofline and large windows create a more expansive greenhouse, while the character lines are minimized, presenting a streamlined appearance. The panel connecting the front and rear wheels appears as a flat, continuous surface. |
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While I haven't had the opportunity to see it in person, there are reports that a thin line of e-Ink Display is embedded at the bottom of the windows. It functions much like e-ink seen in e-book readers, and as the driver approaches the vehicle, it is said to illuminate, serving as a door handle, similar to how it's activated when reading an e-book. |
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Instead of the thin strip-style taillamps, the taillamps feature a stepped design made up of 3D-printed elements, illuminated with red LED lighting that adds depth and dimension. |
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Inside, a futuristic and digitally-centric design takes center stage. A large black panel extends across the width of the dashboard along the front windshield, highlighting the next-generation iDrive interface. A black panel, often referred to as the 'Panorama Vision,' appears to serve as a projection screen for the infotainment system.
The central display is positioned within reach of the driver, likely serving as the control hub, while more detailed information may be accessed through the panoramic screen.
Additionally, the trendy mid-century modern design of the bucket seats is wrapped in corduroy material, adding a cozy warmth and emphasizing a vintage feel. |
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This concept manages to blend a retro-inspired yet futuristic look, incorporating unique and innovative design elements while maintaining a distinctive identity. It showcases a wide grille, large windows, and C-pillar angles reminiscent of BMWs from the 1970s and 1980s, thereby evoking a sense of connection to the brand's heritage. The ongoing reviews suggest that it embodies the potential of a fresh model for the new era of electric cars, hinting at the direction in which BMW is heading. |
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I recently came across an interesting thread on a design website I frequently visit, discussing everyone's favorite wheel designs. Have you come across wheel designs that have left a strong impression on you or that you particularly admire? If so, I'd love to hear about them and feature them in our upcoming edition. Please feel free to share your favorite wheel designs via email. Just send us a brief explanation of why you appreciate them and the design details. |
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A wheel crafted by Spalding, beautifully balancing concave and convex elements, skillfully showcasing a harmonious pattern interplay |
The monoblock wheel of the AMG E55 - a wheel that consistently embodies a bold and aggressive impression. |
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The wheels of the Volvo XC40, with a black wheel design that is seamlessly integrated onto the metal finish, exude a captivating appeal. |
A unique wheel design that I've never seen before. |
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"The classic and clean 5-spoke windmill-style wheels of the Volvo R |
Reminiscent of BMW wheels from the 2000s. |
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Wheels that exude confidence with a cool sense of depth |
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Steel wheel covers used in Mercedes-Benz vehicles from the 1960s to the 1980s. |
These wheel covers allow the car's body color to be seamlessly integrated, creating a logo that stands out. |
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The Audi R8's 5-spoke star wheels, which exude sophistication, sportiness, and elegance, fitting well with almost every car segmen |
The Hammer3's wooden wheel, effectively capturing inspiration from classic and simplistic design |
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An elegant 5-spoke, a stable 6-spoke... When it comes to even-spoked wheels, there tends to be a visually static quality, while odd-spoked wheels are seen as more continuous, capturing attention with no clear start or end. However, personally, I find odd-spoke wheels more attractive |
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Kia Design Center America
Written by Jenna Chwee
Email: jchwee@hatci.com
101 Peters Canyon Rd. Irvine, CA 92606
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