Mindful drinking app, Alternative to nightstand, Modular Van #226 / December 8, 2023 (Fri) / Confidential |
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As winter approaches, the typical association with seasonal preparations might be making kimchi, but as a resident in the United States, my immediate thoughts turn to electric blankets, heated mats, and, of course, heaters. Fortunately, the heated mat and electric blanket I brought from Korea a few years ago are still serving me well. However, in most American homes with tall ceilings, the prevailing heating system is a forced air system that warms the air. I've set a rough schedule for morning (69°F), afternoon (63°F), and evening (70°F) to efficiently manage energy costs. But unlike me, who aims to minimize energy consumption even by a dollar, my Plus one prefers to keep the heater running while wearing extremely light clothing at home (almost none... 😑). In contrast to my habit of bundling up to sleep and enduring the cool air, my partner, urging me to step into the chilly living room, initiated a minor power struggle over control of the thermostat. Thanks to this, we invested in a smart thermostat last month. Its name? Amazon Thermostat! |
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Due to my husband's strong desire for me to become more capable, I took on the task of drilling and wiring in our home. Following the instructions and matching the colors seemed straightforward, but the heater ignition wouldn't work. Eventually, after sending out an SOS to the professional who fixed it the next day, I learned that following the manual step-by-step wasn't a guaranteed fix. American homes typically have heaters with 4 or 5 wires, and if it's a 4-wire system, an additional installation is required. Moreover, the wire colors may differ from the standard, requiring careful verification. It turns out, dealing with this unexpected issue cost me a whopping $60! 😱 |
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Now, it's become effortlessly easy to control the household temperature through Amazon Alexa using just your voice. It not only caters to my preference but also provides information on carbon dioxide emissions based on usage. Additionally, I can compare energy usage from the previous week. |
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Honestly, I used to think setting up a smart home was easy, but implementing it in an old house is proving to be quite challenging. Looking forward to next year, where I hope to have my own seamlessly automated smart home, controlled effortlessly with just a voice command.
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🤗 Contents of This Week
01. Consumer Trend
- Mindful drinking app Sunnyside working on AI-powered coach to help more people drink less
02. Design Trend
- Concept Design for an Alternative to Nightstands
03. Automotive Weekly
- A Tiny, Rectilinear Electric Van With Swappable Panels, Modular Interior |
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01. Consumer Trend - indful drinking app Sunnyside working on AI-powered coach to help more people drink less
To overcome the relentless temptation of alcohol, Americans have traditionally sought help from anonymous sobriety clubs or made intentional efforts to abstain for a specific duration. However, there is growing anticipation that with the development of AI coaching in San Francisco's Sunnyside, adjusting alcohol habits could become more accessible, convenient, and enjoyable.
Upon joining Sunnyside, users can set weekly goals for their alcohol consumption, track their drinking records through the app, and monitor their progress. To gradually reduce alcohol intake, the app sends tailored messages at specific times to encourage sobriety. It also provides a community for members with similar goals to communicate.
Moreover, one-on-one coaching services via text messages are available, and with a recent investment of $11.5 million, they are developing an AI named Sunny. When users inquire about sobriety or moderation, the system will review the questions, and responses from human coaches will be delivered to users. The system can also automatically answer straightforward queries, allowing human coaches to efficiently assist more users.
Sunnyside's basic service is priced at $99 annually, and the premium plan includes meetings and coaching via Zoom.
In January of this year, the first-ever Super Bowl ad for non-alcoholic beer was aired, and now, mocktail options are widely available. Observing a younger generation showing less interest in wine, Baby Boomers are finding the shift confusing. A clear trend is emerging – consumers are reevaluating alcohol and, when faced with drinking-related issues, are openly seeking help and discussing drinking habits. Sunnyside is positioning itself as part of the wellness toolkit by leveraging this trend.
It's noteworthy that people increasingly expect solutions tailored to their unique needs and lifestyles, favoring personalized approaches over one-size-fits-all. Generative AI becomes an attractive tool for providing insights for personalization. How can our brand leverage this enticing tool to develop something innovative?
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02. Design Trend - Concept Design for an Alternative to Nightstands
Ikea designer Chris Pearce, residing in the space-limited city of Tokyo, especially pondered on various concepts to replace the essential nightstand after an extended period. After much consideration, he proposed the Klippa concept—a multifunctional solution that allows for storage of phones and other items using the wall while offering a separate functionality for reading books before bedtime. |
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A practical ring-shaped design that easily accommodates standard novel sizes. |
The small groove features allow for thinner books to be leant against the wall at incremental angles. |
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Designed to receive any sized smartphone safely and securely. |
A 45 degree angle ensures stability and reduces strain when a charging cable is connected, [preserving] cable health over time |
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A simple, sturdy tray with a soft felt flooring. Designed to fit reading glasses and a few other essentials. |
An optional lid allows users to store with discretion. |
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A reading lamp with 4 brightness levels and 2 color tones. |
Tap interactions can be used to cycle through options and switch the lamp on/off. |
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03. Automotive Weekly - A Tiny, Rectilinear Electric Van With Swappable Panels, Modular Interior, Puzzle
Scion XB, Nissan Cube, Honda Element...Puzzle, crafted by the startup HW Electro, playfully dismisses the models once humorously referred to as "Toaster Cars." This linear vehicle, slightly exceeding 11 feet in length and measuring less than 5 feet in width, indeed resembles an authentic toaster. Tailored for applications such as mobile stores or disaster relief, Puzzle smartly integrates USB ports, a Wi-Fi transmitter, and a well-equipped first aid kit. |
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Intriguingly, as easily observed in the image below, panels of the same color are manufactured in identical sizes, reducing waste and enhancing productivity. This rational design optimizes all resources, and the profits gained from cost savings in hardware are invested in the development of software and connected services. |
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Following the filler, the area takes on a linear shape, almost resembling a square, maximizing the internal storage space in a Tetris-like manner to make the most of the given size. Until now, loading spaces in typical box-shaped cars often narrowed towards the roof, making it challenging to utilize the entire provided space effectively.. |
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The sliding shifter gear format is truly impressive, and I'm eager to experience the smooth operation firsthand. Although not wrist-resting, it contributes significantly to the minimalist interior design, aligning seamlessly with the form of the rearview mirror support located on the windshield. |
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The approach of transforming all door panels into pegboards is also very intriguing. (Fantastic customization!) Similar to organizing my room, it allows flexible placement of interior components, enabling various drivers to easily attach and remove necessary items in desired locations. |
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The company claims that Puzzle will be released in the United States in 2025, but as of now, there is no announced price. An update has been provided, stating that plans for mass production models are underway, building on the concept car. |
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Finally, the uncovered Cybertruck, large and bizarre, remains unpainted. If the Rivian is like transforming an ordinary truck into a family version, the Cybertruck gives off a sensation akin to an armored vehicle flying from Mars to Earth on doomsday.
The groundbreaking design has drawn extreme reviews, with some likening it to the DMC Delorean but noting the absence of subtle curves and excellent details. The aggressive vents and sharp lines are either too intense or perfectly minimalist, with opinions ranging from overly bold to flawlessly designed, creating extremes in perception.
Personally, one could label it a bold decision, and the term "moving" might also be apt. While the United Nude Lo Res Car, similar in design to the Cybertruck, was conceived earlier, it stopped at the design phase. The Cybertruck, on the other hand, seems to be moving closer to reality. Will the difference lie in the fact that the Cybertruck is progressively becoming more tangible? We eagerly await the day we can see it on the road.
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Kia Design Center America
Written by Jenna Chwee
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