FUTU E OF THE HO E - ARITCO REPORT 2021 - How design and technology are meeting the need to maintain health

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FUTU E OF THE HO E - ARITCO REPORT 2021 - How design and technology are meeting the need to maintain health
R
    FUTU E OF
        R M
    THE HO E
          M
How design and technology are meeting the need to maintain health,
  safety, purpose and wellbeing at home in light of the pandemic.

                   ARITCO REPORT 2021

                                      P OW E RE D BY
FUTU E OF THE HO E - ARITCO REPORT 2021 - How design and technology are meeting the need to maintain health
INNOVATION       FUTURE OF THE HOME

                         REPORT OVERVIEW
                            O
                         PURPOSE                                                  CONTENT
                         This report was compiled by Springwise in                This report explores the future of the home
                         partnership with Aritco to explore how the               through the lens of consumers and the innovators
                         COVID-19 pandemic is shaping life within the             working to meet their evolving needs. In particular,
                         home. It offers valuable insight into key trends,        how a desire for well-designed hygienic, calming,
                         the latest technologies and innovations from             and purpose-driven solutions are reimagining the
                         across the globe that reveal how our living              home, and how the home ecosystem is changing
                         environments are rapidly changing.                       to incorporate all facets of daily life.

                         4    A Message From Aritco — Next Level Living
                         5    A Message From Springwise — #InnovationForGood
                         6    Reimagining What a Clean, Safe and Sustainable Home Looks Like
                         22   An Evolving Home Ecosystem to Stay Healthy and Connected

                                                         INNOVATIONS
                         CLEAN, SAFE AND                                          EVOLVING HOME
                         SUSTAINABLE HOME                                         ECOSYSTEM
                         12 Artistic Air Purifier                                 30 Modular Home Office
                            (Sauberair)                                              (MUTABOR)
                         13 Antibacterial Ceiling Fan                             31 Optimised Video Presentations
                            (Nanyang Technological University)                       (All Turtles)
                         14 Ceiling Air Purification                              32 Data Encryption Device
                            (Armstrong World Industries)                             (Winston Privacy)
                         15 Energy-Harvesting Windows                             33 Remote Respiratory Monitor
                            (US Department of Energy)                                (Turtle Shell Technologies)
                         16 Infrared Home Heater                                  34 Virtual Travel Tour
                            (Koleda)                                                 (Visit Faroe Islands)
                         17 Circadian Lightbulbs                                  35 AI Music Therapy
                            (TUO & University of Washington)                         (Muru Music Health)
                         18 Antibacterial Modular Room Kits                       36 Grocery Voice Ordering
                            (MINIWIZ)                                                (Carrefour and Google)
                         19 Sanitising Shelf                                      37 AR Art Viewing Tool
                            (Umeå Institute of Design & Electrolux)                  (Etsy)
                         20 Contactless Lift Panels                               38 Predictive Maintenance Platform
                            (Techmax Solution)                                       (Augury)

                              Air          Heat          Light        Touchless      Work        Health &      Shopping
                                                                                                 Wellbeing

2 | Aritco Report 2021                                                                                                 Aritco Report 2021 | 3
FUTU E OF THE HO E - ARITCO REPORT 2021 - How design and technology are meeting the need to maintain health
INNOVATION              FUTURE OF THE HOME

NEXT LEVEL LIVING
               N
Innovation has been at the core
of Aritco’s values since the
                                        retrofitted into almost any home,
                                        the Aritco HomeLift went on to
                                                                             ecosystem. The research and
                                                                             development team at Aritco has
company was founded in Sweden           win a Red Dot Product Award          been working hard integrating some
in 1995. Over the years, we have        2017 and a Gold Medal at the         of these innovations, particularly
revolutionised the lift industry with   European Product Design Awards.      the use of antibacterial UV light into
a simple idea – opening up spaces       It was also nominated for the Best   the design of both the public and
for everyone by improving mobility      Domestic Design category at the      commercial lifts, as well as the home
everywhere and blending efficiency      Wallpaper* Design Awards, was        lifts, to adapt to this “new normal”.
with aesthetics. We call it “Next       named a finalist for Stora Design
Level Living”. We design our lifts      Priset (Great Design Prize) 2017     We hope you enjoy this deep-dive
based on the company’s focus            and was one of five finalists for    into the global innovations that
on Scandinavian design, smart           the Grand Award of Design by         will shape our homes in 2021 and
functionality and safety, and we        Teknikföretagen and Svensk Form.     beyond. Watch this space for news
have manufactured and installed                                              from Aritco about how our lifts will
them in more than 35,000 private        The COVID-19 pandemic has meant      continue to revolutionise how we
homes, schools, offices and retail      that a high percentage of the        move around our homes in safety,
stores around the world.                world’s population has spent most    comfort and style.

                                                                                                                      CREDIT: ISTOCK
                                        of 2020 confined to our homes
In 2016, the design team at             which have become hubs for work,     David Schill
Aritco turned its attention to the      exercise and education as well as    Marketing Director, Aritco Lift
domestic setting and launched           leisure. Design and technology       aritco.com

                                                                                                                                                     #InnovationForGood
the Aritco HomeLift, taking             have driven new innovations that
residential accessibility to a new      support the evolution of the home
level. Designed as a customisable       into a clean, safe and sustainable
piece of furniture that can be          space with an integrated, digital
                                                                                                                                       Despite the unprecedented             all, via our website, daily and         with most things, the pandemic
                                                                                                                                       disruption in how we all now live,    weekly email newsletters, and           has accelerated existing trends
                                                                                                                                       we at Springwise have been            the Springwise Innovation               while spurring brand new ones —
                                                                                                                                       laser-focused on the positive         smartphone app.                         including a hyper-focus on health
                                                                                                                                       innovation that has come in                                                   and wellness and the urgent need
                                                                                                                                       response to the global COVID-19       Above all, what drives us is to be      to adapt our living environments
                                                                                                                                       pandemic. Some of the most            a force for good in a world that        to co-exist with where we now
                                                                                                                                       promising solutions we’ve seen        needs all of the positive inspiration   work and shop from on an
                                                                                                                                       have been targeted at the home        it can get. This is why our focus       increasingly frequent basis.
                                                                                                                                       environment, as you’ll see in the     is on #InnovationForGood — the
                                                                                                                                       pages that follow.                    solutions aiming to solve the           Such drastic shifts are not easy
                                                                                                                                                                             most pressing problems with             to adjust to, especially under the
                                                                                                                                       But first, a few words about          sustainable and purpose-driven          fog of a deadly health crisis and
                                                                                                                                       Springwise and what we do.            ideas. Along with our parent            the anxieties that it provokes. But
                                                                                                                                       We are the world’s leading            company Re_Set, a London-               based on history and what we’ve
                                                                                                                                       idea-spotting network and we          based boutique consultancy              seen in 2020, the most important
                                                                                                                                       have been publishing the most         for disruption, innovation and          innovation often comes out of
                                                                                                                                       interesting business innovations      sustainability, we are a proud          times of great hardship. We
                                                                                                                                       since 2002. Our mission is to be      Certified B Corporation and             hope you find our take on the
                                                                                                                                       the place of record for innovations   members of 1% For The Planet. We        future of the home informative
                                                                                                                                       that matter — to spot the             take a purpose-driven approach          as well as inspirational.
                                                                                                                                       innovators, the entrepreneurs, the    to all of the work we do, including
                                                                                                                                       original thinkers, the disrupters     what you’ll find in this report,        Justin Sablich
                                                                                                                                       and the outliers from across the      which we’ve proudly compiled on         Editor, Springwise
                                                                                                                                       developed and developing world        behalf of our friends at Aritco.        springwise.com
                                                                                                                                       and to bring these new ideas
                                                                                                                                       to a wide readership. Access to       The development of sophisticated                             P OW E R E D BY
                                                                                                                                       Springwise’s daily innovations,       technology has been making homes
                                                                                                                                       and extensive database of over        smarter, safer, and more sustainable
                                                                                                                                       10,000 solutions, is now free for     for several years now. But, as

4 | Aritco Report 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Aritco Report 2021 | 5
FUTU E OF THE HO E - ARITCO REPORT 2021 - How design and technology are meeting the need to maintain health
INNOVATION              CLEAN, SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE HOME

REIMAGINING WHAT
                                                                    ANTIMICROBIAL
                                                                    AND TOUCHLESS

     A
A ‘CLEAN AND SAFE’
                                                                    Many designs are
                                                                    beginning to include
                                                                                                 are likely to remain a
                                                                                                 constant, especially for

       O     S
HOME L OKS LIKE
                                                                    touchless options, for
                                                                    both ease of use and
                                                                    increased sanitation.
                                                                                                 people desiring a return
                                                                                                 to in-person work and
                                                                                                 leisure activities. Already,

       O
                                                                    High traffic zones of the    designs, materials and
                                                                    home with frequently         processes previously
As we spend more time at home, there’s a desire for well-designed   contacted objects now        associated with and
hygienic solutions to ensure a safe environment and a turn toward   require layouts and          used predominantly in
                                                                    arrangements that can        commercial and public
stress-relieving, calming, and purpose-driven solutions.            incorporate additional       places have become
                                                                    layers of safety practices   relevant to and required
                                                                    and procedures.              in peoples’ living spaces.
Pre-pandemic,
wiping noses on                                                     As people try to keep        Experts predict that
tissues rather than                                                 their distance from each     the wet tissue and wipe
sleeves and washing                                                 other while indoors,         market will increase
hands when working in                                               living spaces, too, are      by more than ¤5.3
the kitchen were fairly                                             being reconsidered for       billion by 2024,A with
prosaic measures for                                                maximum efficiency and       the nascent global
health. Most people                                                 safety. Even with the        antimicrobial coating          for sterilisation and         antimicrobial
followed them most                                                  possibility of a vaccine     market expanding to            disinfectant. Innovators      characteristics into
of the time. Since                                                  bringing relief from         ¤4.1 billion by 2025.B         are already looking           everything from clothing
early 2020, however,                                                the need for extreme         This growth is driven in       beyond household              and edible films on fresh
the concept of what                                                 shielding and isolation,     large part by significant      cleaning products             produce to personal
constitutes clean (and                                              high levels of hygiene       increases in the need          and incorporating             devices and wall paint.
safe) underwent rapid,
radical change.

The home has now
gone beyond simply
being a place to                                                                                                                As well as what we            the rest of the home, its
relax, eat and spend
time with family. It                                                   INDOOR AIR                                               touch, what we breathe
                                                                                                                                has come under
                                                                                                                                                              gadgets and occupants’
                                                                                                                                                              way of life.
has become a place
of work, a ward for                                                    QUALITY                                                  increased scrutiny.
                                                                                                                                Dealing with urban            Industry standards
illness, a vacation                                                                                                             smog was a good               continue to intensify
destination, a centre                                                                                                           training ground for           as the characteristics of
of education, the                                                                                                               technologies and              COVID-19 become
local fitness centre                                                                                                            systems now required          better understood.
and more. As                                                                                                                    within almost every           Amongst the
scientific knowledge                                                                                                            building, residential         worldwide community,
of COVID-19                                                                                                                     and commercial.               comprehension that this
grows, consumers                                                                                                                                              is unlikely to be the last,
are responding                                                                                                                  Air purification is fast      or only, global pandemic
by adopting new                                                                                                                 becoming a household          in modern times is
behaviours and                                                                                                                  imperative, and even          slowly seeping into our
adapting old                                                                                                                    more so for families with     collective consciousness.
approaches. Every                                                                                                               vulnerable members of         This understanding
item that enters the                                                                                                            all ages. Systems and         further drives demand
home is viewed now                                                                                                              devices that work on          for devices that are no
through a lens of                                                                                                               everyday moulds, dust         longer a luxury nor for
extreme hygiene.                                                                                                                and asbestos must now         city dwellers alone. By
Where has it been?                                                                                                              work on microscopic,          2027, the international
Who touched it? How                                                                                                             infectious virus particles.   air purifier market is
much risk is everyone                                                                                                           And they must                 expected to attain sales
comfortable with?                                                                                                               seamlessly integrate with     of ¤18.2 billion.C

6 | Aritco Report 2021                                                                                                                                                Aritco Report 2021 | 7
FUTU E OF THE HO E - ARITCO REPORT 2021 - How design and technology are meeting the need to maintain health
INNOVATION              CLEAN, SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE HOME

                                                                                                                                                                                              A SENSE OF
                                                                                                                                                                                               PURPOSE
                                                                                                                                                                             With additional time to                 for waste-to-energy
                                                                                                                                                                             consider how and why                    programmes, starting
                                                                                                                                                                             things are done the                     to garden, eating root
                                                                                                                                                                             way they are, people                    to stem, composting
                                                                                                                                                                             around the world spent                  and reducing waste,
                                                                                                                                                                             a significant amount                    consumption done in
                                                                                                                                                                             of time in lockdown                     and for the home is
                                                                                                                                                                             contemplating their                     increasingly tailored for
                                                                                                                                                                             environmental impact.                   wellbeing. And not just
                                                                                                                                                                             The home has become                     individual wellness.
                                                                                                                                                                             a canvas for sustainable
                                                                                                                                                                             experimentation.                        The concept of doing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     no harm to the
                                                                                                                                                                             Against a backdrop                      surrounding environment
    HOME                                                                                                                                                                     of decline in many
                                                                                                                                                                             other industries,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     has moved out from the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     hiking trails and wild
    COMFORTS                                                                                                                                                                 renewable energy
                                                                                                                                                                             grew in 2020. By 2025,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     campsites to everyday
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     purchasing, activities
                                                                                                                                                                             renewables are predicted                and commitments.
                                                                                                                                                                             to become the largest                   Individuals in vast
No one can forget the           Health at home used to      Designers and architects     In replicating functions                                                            source of electricity                   numbers are now
images of mountains             mean general safety         are following the mass      that used to take place                                                              generation worldwide,                   considering the effects
brought into view for the       features for those with     exodus from city centres    elsewhere in the                                                                     thus finally knocking                   of their actions on
first time in decades, wild     limited mobility. Now the   to homes with               community, house and                                                                 coal off the top spot in                communities, societies
animals roaming city            concept encompasses         innovations that go far     garden improvements                                                                  the energy market.E                     and the Earth itself. And
streets and water clarity       a host of additional        beyond single-use           must meet a                                                                                                                  despite broad and deep
that hadn’t been seen in        aspects. Telemedicine       structures or devices.      considerable list of                                                                 As part of a global move                levels of isolation across
a lifetime, all because         programmes reach more       Research into sensory       criteria. Ease of use                                                                towards climate-neutral                 almost every nation, the
humans were staying             vulnerable, isolated        inputs combined with        and ability to integrate                                                             behaviours, individual                  sense of being connected
indoors. With our activity      individuals than ever       developments in             with other household                                                                 choices are heightening                 to a greater good helps
increasingly confined           before, with the global     material science            appliances are of                                                                    the focus on materials,                 sustain many people,
to the spaces in which          telemedicine market size    contributes to multi-       particular consideration.                                                            functionality and                       whether or not they
                                                                                                                    CREDIT: ISTOCK

we live, comfort and            projected to grow by        layered designs centred     Incorporating wellbeing                                                              carbon emissions. From                  are living alone, as
wellbeing have                  23.5 per cent by 2026.D     on end-users’ comfort.      into home hubs of                                                                    choosing biodegradable                  part of a family or in
commandeered more               With mental health care     Naturally grown             activity requires well-                                                              packaging to advocating                 shared spaces.
attention. Far from being       gaining parity with         ingredients and             designed solutions that
an extravagance for those       physical care, everything   sustainable practices are   provide surprising and
with time to spare, health      from the impact of          widely viewed as            unexpected amounts                           A Technavio Research, November 2020
and wellness at home            the built environment       necessities, particularly   of functionality via                         B Antimicrobial Coating Market Report | Reportlinker.com, November 2020
                                                                                                                                     C Global Air Purifier Market Report | ResearchAndMarkets.com, November 2020
have become foundational        to how we work is           as access to nature was     minimal climate and                          D Telemedicine Market Report | Kenneth Research, November 2020
to our survival.                being improved.             so reduced in 2020.         spatial footprints.                          E Global Renewable Energy Report | International Energy Agency, November 2020

8 | Aritco Report 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aritco Report 2021 | 9
FUTU E OF THE HO E - ARITCO REPORT 2021 - How design and technology are meeting the need to maintain health
INNOVATIONS

       CLEA
          AN, SAFE AND
      SUSTAINABLE HOME
                    O

Air       Heat     Light            Touchless

                           Aritco Report 2021 | 11
FUTU E OF THE HO E - ARITCO REPORT 2021 - How design and technology are meeting the need to maintain health
INNOVATION           CLEAN, SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE HOME

                                                                                                   WHAT                                                                                                                                 WHAT
                                                                                                   Air purifier doubles                                                                                                                Eco-friendly ceiling
                                                                                                   as attractive home                                                                                                                  fan that kills germs
                                                                                                   decor
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        WHO
                                                                                                   WHO                                                                                                                                 Nanyang
                                                                                                   Sauberair                                                                                                                           Technological
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       University
                                                                                                   WHERE
                                                                                                   Taiwan                                                                                                                               WHERE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Singapore
                                                                                                   CONTACT
                                                                                                   biz@sauberair.com                                                                                                                    CONTACT
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       lesterkok@ntu.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       edu.sg
CREDIT: SAUBERAIR

                                                                                                                          CREDIT: ISTOCK, NTU SINGAPORE
                                         AN INVISIBLE AIR PURIFIER
                                        DISGUISED AS A PIECE OF ART
                                  The Sauberair FLAT eliminates a wide range of pollutants in the air, using
                                                                                                                                                                BLADELESS CEILING FAN USES LESS
                                           minimum power, while also being hidden from view.                                                                   ENERGY AND KILLS MICROORGANISMS
                                                                                                                                                                      A newly developed system is capable of cooling a small room at twice the
                    The Taiwan-based             Despite its compact
                                                                                    TAKEAWAY                                                                               speed of a conventional fan whilst only using half the energy.
                    company Sauberair has        appearance, the
                    made a conscious effort      Sauberair FLAT is
                    to disguise their latest     capable of cleaning a             Easy integration within a                                              Researchers at the            cools people around it.
                    invention as home décor,     19-square-metre space             household is essential for long-                                       Nanyang Technological         In addition, an LED
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       TAKEAWAY
                    creating a sleek air         within 12 minutes. The            term adaptation of many of the                                         University, Singapore         lamp in the centre of
                    purifier that looks like     app will alert the user           emergent devices and                                                   (NTU Singapore) have          the fan provides light        Conventional ceiling fans
                    wall art.                    when the filter, which can        technologies. Designing for                                            developed a ceiling fan       in different temperatures     contribute significantly to
                                                 be easily removed, must           beauty as well as function is one                                      capable of cooling a          of white. An ultraviolet      residential electricity consumption.
                    The Sauberair FLAT is        be replaced with a new            of the best ways of doing that,                                        small room at twice the       light source also helps       During one month of trialling
                    just three and a half        filter press-fitted in. FLAT      and something the FLAT achieves                                        speed of a conventional       to kill microorganisms        Vortec at the Co-Op Café at the
                    inches thick and             uses a reliable non-              through its slim shape. It also                                        fan (about 100 cubic          such as bacteria and          NTU Innovation Centre, which is
                    disguises itself as a        woven fibre material filter       helps make it more accessible for                                      meters per minute),           viruses, to reduce the        the size of a four-room apartment
                    custom piece of wall art     that guarantees high              use in smaller living spaces. With                                     whilst using just over half   spread of diseases            (90 sqm), utility costs were
                    that can be hung around      dust-holding capacities.             mental and physical wellness                                        the energy (42 watts          through the air in               reduced by an estimated 50 per
                    the home, while also                                                 now tied so directly to our                                      compared to 75 watts).        confined spaces.                    cent. Additionally, the UV
                    eliminating a wide range     This means that it has                    homes, purpose-driven                                                                                                              LED lamps, produced by
                    of pollutants. The air       a longer lifespan and                      solutions must contribute                                     The Vortec fan works          In addition, an LED                     Seoul Viosys, achieved an
                    purifier can be easily       the airflow will not                        directly to a calming                                        by sucking cool air from      lamp in the centre of                    impressive 99.9 per cent
                    controlled with an           reduce rapidly when                          sense of safety while                                       below the fan, diverging      the fan provides light in                 disinfection of COVID-19.
                    accompanying app             accumulating mass                            providing flexibility                                       the heat and moisture         different temperatures                    Home appliances that
                    and with built-in            amounts of dust. The                         in their installation                                       from those sitting            of white. An ultraviolet                  can both save money
                    smart sensors. FLAT          purifier’s intakes and                      and application.                                             underneath. Its UFO-like      light source also helps to                by using less energy
                    automatically monitors       exhausts are built around                                                                                shape allows air to be        kill microorganisms such                 and create a safe home
                    the air quality and          the sides, keeping the                                                                                   showered outwards from        as bacteria and viruses,                environment are likely
                    reacts to provide a          front face intake for                                                                                    the top of the spinning       to reduce the spread of               to be in high demand in a
                    fresher and healthier        the art, which sits in a                                                                                 vortex, creating an air       diseases through the air            post-COVID world.
                    environment.                 wooden frame.                                                                                            curtain that falls and        in confined spaces.

                    12 | Aritco Report 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                 Aritco Report 2021 | 13
FUTU E OF THE HO E - ARITCO REPORT 2021 - How design and technology are meeting the need to maintain health
INNOVATION           CLEAN, SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE HOME

                                                                                                                 WHAT                                                                                                                                       WHAT
                                                                                                                 Ceiling panel                                                                                                                              Window prototype
                                                                                                                 system that purifies                                                                                                                       harvests energy
                                                                                                                 indoor air                                                                                                                                 and cools in-door
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            environments
                                                                                                                 WHO
                                                                                                                 Armstrong World                                                                                                                            WHO
                                                                                                                 Industries                                                                                                                                 US Department of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Energy
                                                                                                                 WHERE
                                                                                                                 United States                                                                                                                              WHERE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            United States
CREDIT: ISTOCK, ARMSTRONG CEILINGS

                                                                                                                 CONTACT
                                                                                                                 jenniferjohnson@                                                                                                                           CONTACT

                                                                                                                                        CREDIT: ISTOCK, DENNIS SCHROEDER, NREL
                                                                                                                 armstrongceilings.                                                                                                                         nrel.gov
                                                                                                                 com

                                                      CEILING PANEL SYSTEM WITH
                                                     ULTRAVIOLET AIR PURIFICATION
                                           The system removes 97 per cent of pathogens in the first round of cleaning, bringing
                                                                                                                                                                                              WINDOWS THAT BECOME SOLAR
                                                 healthcare-quality disinfecting capabilities to working and living spaces.                                                                       CELLS WHEN HEATED
                                                                                                                                                                                          Windows are in development that can switch colours when heated by sunlight
                                     Armstrong World              Able to remove 97 per
                                                                                                  TAKEAWAY                                                                                     to keep buildings cool and act as solar panels at the same time.
                                     Industries has partnered     cent of infectious particles
                                     with Medical Illumination    from the air with the
                                     International Inc.           first round of cleaning,       Retrofitting existing buildings                                                 Researchers at the           the humidity is low,
                                     to create the 24/7           the 24/7 Defend system         for new health and safety                                                       US Department of             the perovskite remains
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            TAKEAWAY
                                     Defend ceiling and air       can be installed in new        requirements could very well make                                               Energy’s National            transparent and
                                     purification system. The     spaces or retrofitted for      room for additional innovations                                                 Renewable Energy             natural light is let in      With much of the previous
                                     portfolio of products        existing rooms.                as building owners consider the                                                 Laboratory (NREL) are        as normal. But when          attention on improving construction
                                     includes cleanable                                          needs of different spaces. Some                                                 developing windows           the glass reaches            sustainability emphasising materials
                                     ceilings and trims,          Alongside the new              may upgrade every area of a                                                     that automatically           temperatures between         and processes, it is interesting to
                                     AirAssure ceiling panels     products, Armstrong            nursing home or a brick-and-                                                    change colour when           35-46 °C, the vapour         see developing interest in windows,
                                     and the VidaShield           provides the cleaning          mortar operation, whereas others                                                heated and can also          causes the perovskite        which are crucial to any build and
                                     UV24 air purification        and disinfecting guides        may find new ways of trading                                                    act as solar panels.         crystals to rearrange        often the crux of a design. A range
                                     system. Used together,       for a range of ceiling         that require smaller numbers of                                                 The thermochromic            themselves into              of recent innovations focused on
                                     the collaboration brings     panels, tile and trim          structures. As those decisions                                                  photovoltaic technology      different shapes, each       improving functionality provides
                                     healthcare-quality           materials, including           are made, collaborations within                                                 can block glare and          one changing the colour      homeowners with additional means
                                     cleaning and disinfecting    woods and metals.              a community, whether that be                                                    reduce the need for          of the glass in about        of contributing to environmental
                                     capabilities to home and                                       single buildings or a range                                                  cooling, while also          seven seconds.                  efforts without sacrificing
                                     office spaces.               As communities strive                of businesses across                                                      harvesting energy from       Changing from yellow,              comfort or style. And with
                                                                  to return to in-person                 geographical areas and                                                  the light that can provide   orange, red and brown,               integrated solar technology,
                                     The AirAssure ceiling        meetings within both                     industries, will become                                               a source of electricity.     each colour blocks light               windows serve an
                                     panel design reduces         work and personal life,                   more and more                                                                                     to different degrees                    additional purpose as a
                                     the volume of air that       a mix of integrated                        important to new ways                                               The windows are              and cools the room                       source of energy, helping
                                     leaks out of a space,        cleaning solutions                         of living and working.                                              made from a thin film        down in the process.                     to increase efficiency by
                                     thereby improving the        and technological                                                                                              of an emerging solar                                                  reducing the need for
                                     performance of filtration    improvements are                                                                                               cell material called         The NREL team believes                  panels elsewhere.
                                     systems. The ultraviolet     becoming essential                                                                                             perovskite. This is          that a prototype
                                     air cleaning technology      to the maintenance                                                                                             wedged between two           thermochromic
                                     sits behind the ceiling      of higher standards of                                                                                         panes of glass, with a       photovoltaic window
                                     panels, cleaning the air     both public and                                                                                                solvent vapour injected      could be developed by
                                     up to four times an hour.    private cleanliness.                                                                                           into the gap. When           the end of 2021.

                                     14 | Aritco Report 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                     Aritco Report 2021 | 15
FUTU E OF THE HO E - ARITCO REPORT 2021 - How design and technology are meeting the need to maintain health
INNOVATION           CLEAN, SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE HOME

                                                                                                   WHAT                                                                                                                        WHAT
                                                                                                   Infrared                                                                                                                   Circadian
                                                                                                   home heater                                                                                                                lightbulbs that
                                                                                                   reduces energy                                                                                                             improve sleep
                                                                                                   consumption                                                                                                                quality

                                                                                                   WHO                                                                                                                         WHO
                                                                                                   Koleda                                                                                                                     TUO & University
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              of Washington
                                                                                                   WHERE
                                                                                                   Switzerland                                                                                                                 WHERE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              United States
                                                                                                   CONTACT
                                                                                                   koleda.co/contact                                                                                                           CONTACT
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              info@thetuolife.com

                                                                                                                          CREDIT: TUO
CREDIT: KOLEDA

                                                                                                                                              CIRCADIAN LIGHTBULBS PROVIDE
                                     HOME HEATER USES INFRARED                                                                              PERSONALISED BODY CLOCK LIGHTING
                                      RADIATION, SAVING ENERGY                                                                                 TUO’s lightbulbs look like most others on the surface, yet contain app-controlled
                                                                                                                                                  wavelengths that mimic those that occur naturally at sunrise and sunset.
                                Using thermal radiation to heat objects directly, this in-door heater uses
                                        around 30 per cent less energy than traditional systems.
                                                                                                                                        Researchers from the         internal rhythms are
                                                                                                                                        University of Washington     much more powerful
                                                                                                                                                                                                     TAKEAWAY
                 The Solus+, by the           a warm house the minute                                                                   were able to identify a      than the light needed to
                 Swiss startup Koleda,        they walk in the door,
                                                                                   TAKEAWAY                                             cell in the retina of the    activate s-cone cells.         Circadian health directly influences
                 delivers heat via infrared   and prevents them from                                                                    human eye that signals to    Blue light products are        sleep patterns, and the ¤3.7 trillion
                 radiation, whereby heat      accidentally leaving the            Most home heating systems have                        the brain when it is time    also less accurate             global wellness industry A has taken
                 is transferred directly to   heat on while away.                 not changed much over the last few                    to wake and sleep.           because s-cone cells           note. Sleep aids and guides are
                 the objects in the room.                                         decades – they use a boiler to heat                   Named s-cones, the           react to other colours.        now ubiquitous, and the effects of
                 This uses around 30 per      The company claims the              radiators, or force warm air through                  highly sensitive                                            not getting enough, or the right
                 cent less energy than        Solus+ will not lose this           vents. They rely on the principle of                  photoreceptor cells react    TUO began selling their        quality of sleep, weighs heavily on
                 traditional convection       efficiency over time and            convection, which is the transfer                     to wavelengths of light      circadian lightbulbs in        many. One of the simplest methods
                 heating systems. The         is both faster and easier           of heat from one place to another                     found at sunrise and         November 2020. They            of reducing stress lies in helping
                 heater can be installed      to use than traditional             by the movement of a fluid that for                   sunset. This research was    work like regular white        someone else, and a reduction in
                 by simply plugging it in,    heating systems.                    this purpose includes air. However,                   then licensed to the         light bulbs when not           stress can make it easier to sleep
                 and is designed as a                                             these systems are energy-inefficient                  smart lighting company       connected to the               well, which in turn enhances
                 smooth, flat panel that      According to Koleda                    and expensive. Thermal radiation                   TUO, which used it to        internet. When                    general health, making altruism
                 fits almost everywhere       CEO, Maxim Interbrick,                    heats objects directly, rather                  create lightbulbs that       connected, the                       one method for improving
                 in the home, requires no     it is high time for a                       than warming the air around                   help users fall asleep and   circadian bulbs emit                   overall wellbeing.
                 ongoing maintenance          new way to heat homes:                        them, making it more                        wake up naturally.           the required wake and
                 and will not burn out.       “As the world moves                            energy-efficient than                                                   sleep wavelengths of
                                              towards renewable                               convection heating. All                   What was significant         light, as directed by
                 The Solus+ can also          energy sources, and                             of this translates into a                 about the researchers’       the accompanying app,
                 connect to a companion       the electricity grid                            more affordable heating                   finding was the low level    which allows users to
                 app, which allows users      becomes cheaper and                            system as well.                            of brightness required to    create a custom
                 to monitor and adjust        cleaner, we set out to                                                                    kickstart the body’s         circadian schedule that
                 the heat of each unit        develop an innovative                                                                     biological clock. Products   will calculate the
                 individually. It also lets   solution for                                                                              currently working with       appropriate light modes
                 users turn units on while    environmentally                                                                           blue wavelengths of light    and time exposures
                 on their way home, for       conscious homeowners.”                                                                    as a means of regulating     automatically.                 A Global Wellness Institute | 2018

                 16 | Aritco Report 2021                                                                                                                                                                                             Aritco Report 2021 | 17
FUTU E OF THE HO E - ARITCO REPORT 2021 - How design and technology are meeting the need to maintain health
INNOVATION           CLEAN, SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE HOME

                                                                                                      WHAT                                                                                                                                                                                           WHAT

                                                                                                                            CREDIT: ELECTROLUX; STIJN VAN CUIJK, JAKOB KOHNLE, LAURENZ SIMONIS/UMEÄ INSTITUTE OF DESIGN
                                                                                                      Modular Adaptable                                                                                                                                                                              Home shelf
                                                                                                      Convertible (MAC)                                                                                                                                                                              sanitises skin
                                                                                                      room system                                                                                                                                                                                    and devices

                                                                                                      WHO                                                                                                                                                                                            WHO
                                                                                                      Miniwiz                                                                                                                                                                                        Umeå Institute of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Design & Electrolux
                                                                                                      WHERE
                                                                                                      Taiwan                                                                                                                                                                                         WHERE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Sweden
                                                                                                      CONTACT
                                                                                                      contact@miniwiz.                                                                                                                                                                               CONTACT
                                                                                                      com                                                                                                                                                                                            registrator@umu.se
CREDIT: MINIWIZ

                        ANTIBACTERIAL MODULAR ROOM KITS
                        WITH SELF-CLEANING UV TECHNOLOGY                                                                                                                                                                              SHELVED SANITISATION STATION
                                            The walls are nano-coated with recycled aluminium and have                                                                                                                                DISINFECTS HANDS AND DEVICES
                                                   an integrated ultraviolet self-cleaning system.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Located at the entrance of the house, the Muhō is a post-COVID home solution
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           that disinfects devices like smartphones and hands instantly.
                  The circular economy             The walls are made from
                  experts and product              recycled plastic bottles
                                                                                      TAKEAWAY
                  engineering studio               and are nano-coated                                                                                                                                                    With the goal of creating    Muhõ comes with 3 UV-C
                  Miniwiz specialise in            with recycled aluminium.          When not needed for emergency                                                                                                        post-COVID home              light-enabled shelves
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     TAKEAWAY
                  transforming post-               An integrated ultraviolet         healthcare, the MAC kits could be                                                                                                    solutions, a team at         to place items such as
                  consumer waste into              self-cleaning system              ideal working spaces at home or                                                                                                      Umeå Institute of            phones, keys, wallets, or    Efficiency is going to increase as
                  high-performance                 works with the aluminium          in offices. The self-cleaning system                                                                                                 Design have collaborated     sunglasses on. Once an       a design priority as many aspects
                  materials. Their                 to create the kit’s               keeps each room safe for use by                                                                                                      with Electrolux to           object is placed on the      of life change to accommodate
                  Modular Adaptable                antiviral and antibacterial       multiple groups and individuals,                                                                                                     develop a hallway            shelf, a contact-sensor      post-pandemic health and safety
                  Convertible (MAC)                properties, which Miniwiz         and the connectivity makes it                                                                                                        sanitisation-station.        activates the UV-C           requirements. The multiple layers
                  system upcycles such             says reduces 99.9 per             easy to create pods of multiple                                                                                                                                   light in seconds, killing    of risk-assessment and growth
                  waste into medical-              cent of bacteria count            rooms for socially-distanced                                                                                                         The Muhõ envisions a         any germs that have          in numbers of steps of personal
                  grade, antiviral,                while repelling viruses.          team working. Additionally, as                                                                                                       new type of furniture for    accumulated on               hygiene that surround almost every
                  antibacterial                                                      remote and flexible employment                                                                                                       homes that goes above        the items. The lowest        daily activity make routines and
                  modular rooms.                   While the MAC kits were           arrangements become more of                                                                                                          and beyond, to keep          shelf has a built-in         schedules far more complicated.
                                                   initially developed with             a social norm, it is likely that                                                                                                  life organised and safe.     hands-free sanitiser            To combat that drain on time,
                  The MAC wards are                the idea of replacing                    home-based professionals                                                                                                      Made to be conveniently      dispenser, allowing you             creators must rethink,
                  lightweight for easy             makeshift hospital                         will begin looking for                                                                                                      located at the entrance      to clean your hands                   repurpose and invent
                  transport and consist            wards in mind, they are                     something more hygienic,                                                                                                   of the home, it allows       while your items are                    new ways of performing
                  of interlocking parts to         designed in a way to                          and businesslike, than                                                                                                   you to instantly disinfect   being disinfected.                       tasks that are essential
                  facilitate rapid assembly.       be used in a variety of                        the sitting room couch                                                                                                  your device and hands,                                                 to the smooth running
                  Each modular room                settings. Using similar                        for a home office.                                                                                                      preventing any potential     To add an extra flair to                  of what has become
                  contains negative                technology and design,                                                                                                                                                 germs from entering          the design, the Muhõ                      the incredibly multi-
                  air pressure, which              Miniwiz hopes to offer                                                                                                                                                 the house.                   comes with a smart                        functional home.
                  helps cool the space             similar setups to home                                                                                                                                                                              mirror that not only
                  and prevent airborne             consumers and envision                                                                                                                                                 As UV light acts as a        allows you to check how
                  pollutants from                  them being used in                                                                                                                                                     disinfectant by breaking     you look but also gives
                  harming individuals              restaurants and hotels                                                                                                                                                 down the DNA of any          you temperature and
                  within the space.                as well.                                                                                                                                                               bacteria or viruses, the     weather updates.

                  18 | Aritco Report 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aritco Report 2021 | 19
INNOVATION          CLEAN, SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE HOME

                                                                                                                                                      WHAT
                                                                                                                                                      Contactless lift
                                                                                                                                                      panel prevents
                                                                                                                                                      spreading of germs

                                                                                                                                                      WHO
                                                                                                                                                      Techmax Solution

                                                                                                                                                      WHERE
                                                                                                                                                      India
CREDIT: PHOTO BY SVEN DE KOE ON UNSPLASH, TECHMAX SOLUTION/YOUTUBE

                                                                                                                                                      CONTACT
                                                                                                                                                      info@techmax.co.in

                                                                                      SYSTEM CONVERTS LIFT PANELS
                                                                                            TO CONTACTLESS
                                                                                     The Sparshless system is affordable and easy-to-install, allowing users
                                                                                             to avoid coming into contact with potential viruses.

                                                                     The Indian IoT company         The Sparshless is
                                                                     Techmax Solution has           installed next to the
                                                                                                                                      TAKEAWAY
                                                                     developed a touchless          existing panel, which will
                                                                     lift panel, the Sparshless,    makes uninstallation an          We’re starting to see a world
                                                                     that can be retrofitted to     easier process as well           where almost anything can be
                                                                     almost any elevator. To        should the needs of a            made contactless, from lift panels,
                                                                     call the elevator, the rider   user change.                     shopping checkouts, home deliveries
                                                                     simply places their hand                                        and more. Not only would this help
                                                                     below the unit. Once           According to the                 to reduce the chance of accidental
                                                                     inside, they can choose        company, a commercial               virus transmission and curb
                                                                     a floor by pointing to the     lift button has the                     global pandemics, but it could
                                                                     corresponding button           potential to contain a                    also help reassure people
                                                                     on the Sparshless from a       significant amount of                       to come back to work,
                                                                     distance of around             bacteria. The company                        shops and restaurants,
                                                                     15-20 mm.                      believes its innovation                       as well as those who are
                                                                                                    can play a major role in                      integrating more touchless
                                                                     The system is compatible       preventing the spread of                      technology in their living
                                                                     with all elevators             harmful bacteria where                        environments. It is also
                                                                     and aims to be both            lifts are in heavy use,                      easy to envision this
                                                                     affordable and accurate.       including multi-story                       particular type of touchless
                                                                     It comes with a 4, 8 or 14     apartments, commercial                    technology being adapted
                                                                     button option, but these       complexes, hospitals,                  to make a wider range of
                                                                     can also be customised.        malls and more.                    processes touchless.

                                                                     20 | Aritco Report 2021                                                                                   Aritco Report 2021 | 21
INNOVATION           EVOLVING HOME ECOSYSTEM

AN EVOLVING
      O
HOME ECOSYSTEM
           S
                                                                        Digital connections certainly increased
                                                                        in 2020, although much of the uptick

TO STAY HEALTHY
                                                                        in time spent online was due to
                                                                        changes in working practices.

AND CONNECTED
                                                                        Businesses large and small found
                                                                        ways to accommodate and support
                                                                        the unexpected and long-term need

       N
How do we maintain meaningful connections with the outside world
while integrating work, shopping and healthcare into daily home life?
                                                                        for many employees to work remotely.
                                                                        With the home, rather than the city
                                                                        centre, now the hub of daily activity,
                                                                        everyday routines changed drastically.

22 | Aritco Report 2021                                                                      Aritco Report 2021 | 23
INNOVATION           EVOLVING HOME ECOSYSTEM

                                                        Lunches, doctor’s
                                                        appointments, shopping,
                                                        school and more went
                                                        virtual almost overnight.
                                                        Brands able to respond
                                                        with agility found new
                                                        ways of reaching regular,
                                                        and new, customers —
                                                        often by providing more
                                                        contactless and remote
                                                        items and services
                                                        while incorporating
                                                        aspects of emergency
                                                        community care.

                                                        Small coffee shops
                                                        started delivering
                                                        locally and added
                                                        essential toiletries to
                                                        their menu. Health
                                                        professionals provided
                                                        care via video link.
                                                        Banks set up regular
                                                        calls with customers.
                                                        By 2025, it is estimated
                                                        that at-home
                                                        consumption could be
                                                        a ¤2.5 trillion market,
                                                        with consumer products,
                                                        leisure/recreation and
                                                        education the top three
                                                        areas of expenditure.A

                                                        For some companies,

                                                                                       CONNECTION,
                                                        the unexpected
                                                        downtime meant teams

                                                                                       NOT ISOLATION
                                                        had an incredible
                                                        opportunity to introduce
                                                        solutions to challenges
                                                        that had never been
                                                        experienced before.         So far, what technology     mental health conditions.   symptoms worse than         economically by the
                                                        Mixed reality shopping,     can not yet do is           A mix of stressors appear   previously reported.C       coronavirus, approached
                                                        modular home working        replicate the human         to be compounding                                       the changes wrought by
                                                        spaces, virtual offices,    touch. Millions of people   the detrimental             In response to and          global shutdowns with
                                                        and myriad telemedicine     around the globe were       effects the global          alongside those changes,    imagination and heart.
                                                        options brought the         separated from loved        pandemic is having on       outpourings of community    Across distances, worries
                                                        world into the home.        ones for months and         peoples’ wellbeing.         support focused on          and almost constant
                                                        Such an acceleration        many will remain apart      The American                reducing isolation and      change, innovations such
                                                        of digital living reduces   well into 2021.             Psychological               strengthening networks      as drive-in opera, online
                                                        time-related restrictions                               Association found that      for the most vulnerable.    stand up comedy sets,
                                                        on when activities          Before COVID-19,            78 per cent of adults       What came as a surprise     DIY-kits and remote,
                                                        can take place or be        loneliness was a growing    say the coronavirus         was the wider spread        robot-facilitated tours
                                                        completed. This is          epidemic in some of         pandemic is a significant   effects that aided in       helped establish and

                                           ESSENTIAL    useful, yet also
                                                        dangerous, when the
                                                                                    the world’s wealthiest
                                                                                    countries. When the
                                                                                                                source of stress in
                                                                                                                their lives.B Public
                                                                                                                                            uplifting numerous
                                                                                                                                            others, including those
                                                                                                                                                                        maintain a sense of
                                                                                                                                                                        connection — different

                                                DAILY   divisions between
                                                        work, administration
                                                                                    virus forced vast and
                                                                                    immediate restrictions
                                                                                                                Health England reports
                                                                                                                an increase in the
                                                                                                                                            organising the care.        methods from what used
                                                                                                                                                                        to be the norm, and

                                         EXPERIENCES    of the home, health
                                                        and recreation are so
                                                                                    on social interactions,
                                                                                    experts predicted an
                                                                                                                proportion of people
                                                                                                                reporting depressive
                                                                                                                                            Entrepreneurs in the
                                                                                                                                            arts and hospitality, two
                                                                                                                                                                        highly reliant on virtual
                                                                                                                                                                        aspects, but inspiring
                                                        blurred, if not gone.       overwhelming rise in        symptoms and with           industries devastated       pivots nonetheless.

24 | Aritco Report 2021                                                                                                                                                        Aritco Report 2021 | 25
INNOVATION           EVOLVING HOME ECOSYSTEM

                                                                                      through the full supply
                                                                                      chain of their purchases.                                                                                                                      with AI-powered
                                                                                      This led to ongoing                                                                                                                            refrigerators, coffee
                                                                                      growth in shopping                                                                                                                             makers, hoovers and
                                                                                      decisions built around                                                                                                                         dishwashers already
                                                                                      climate neutrality                                                                                                                             providing households
                                                                                      and a broadened                                                                                                                                with another level in
                                                                                      understanding of the                                                                                                                           sustainable efficiency.
                                                                                      means of corporate lip                                                                                                                         IoT technology is
                                                                                      service and greenwashing.                                                                                                                      growing at a rate of
                                                                                      The result being that                                                                                                                          15 to 20 per cent each
                                                                                      for great numbers of                                                                                                                           year. F As the range of its
                                                                                      people, carbon neutrality,                                                                                                                     application widens, so
                                                                                      transparent production                                                                                                                         too does the collection
                                                                                      processes, inclusivity                                                                                                                         of associated data, which
                                                                                      and diversity, coupled                                                                                                                         further compounds the
                                                                                      with hygienic and safe                                                                                                                         challenges of protecting
                                                                                      transportation, are high                                                                                                                       online information.
                                                                                      priority requirements
                                                                                      of doing business with                                                                                                                         The COVID-19 pandemic
                                                                                      a brand.                                                                                                                                       has been a boon to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     cybercriminals. By
                                                                                      Further automating                                                                                                                             November 2020,
                                                                                      delivery logistics assists                                                                                                                     phishing attempts
                                                                                      in maintaining healthy                                                                                                                         throughout the year
                                                                                      social distancing, and                                                                                                                         had increased by 220
                                                                                      the use of robots and                                                                                                                          per cent. More than half
                                                                                      drones often increases                                                                                                                         of all fraudulent sites
                                                                                      efficiencies. Such savings                                                                                                                     masqueraded as some of
                                                                                      could benefit a range of                                                                                                                       the biggest tech names
                                                                                      companies, particularly                                                                                                                        on the planet, including
                                                                                      as experts predict that                                                                                                                        Apple, Microsoft,
                                                                                      online resale will grow by                                                                                                                     Netflix and Paypal.G
                                                                                      414 per cent from 2019
                                                                                      to 2024.E                                                                                                                                      The continued rollout of

                                                                                                                                        DATA                                                                                         5G and development of
                                                                                      The flip side, of course,                                                                                                                      distributed computing

                                                                                                                   CREDIT: ISTOCK
                                                                                                                                        PRIVACY
                                                                                      of remotely operated                                                                                                                           is helping build stronger
                                                                                      delivery services is a                                                                                                                         (and ideally safer) digital
                                                                                      continuing decline in                                                                                                                          networks capable of
                                                                                      human interactions.                                                                                                                            handling the greater
                                                                                      Personalisation is one                        With the nucleus of most                Overall, levels of comfort     security cameras and      activity loads that are
                                                                                      very focused way that                         peoples’ lives shifting                 with some automation           other devices, combined   becoming the norm.
                                                                                      brands are working                            location, we’ve seen                    and artificial intelligence,   with the growth of fake   Even when the health
                                                                                      to assuage that loss.                         exponential growth                      namely via virtual             news and knowledge        emergency has passed,
    E-COMMERCE IN A                                                                   Often dependent on
                                                                                      augmented and mixed
                                                                                                                                    in digital security
                                                                                                                                    requirements. Businesses
                                                                                                                                                                            personal assistants, have
                                                                                                                                                                            been rising amongst the
                                                                                                                                                                                                           of deep fake
                                                                                                                                                                                                           technologies, suddenly
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     it is likely that the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     expansive volume of
    GLOBAL PANDEMIC                                                                   reality technologies,
                                                                                      bespoke experiences
                                                                                                                                    suddenly had to oversee
                                                                                                                                    vastly distributed
                                                                                                                                                                            general public. Although
                                                                                                                                                                            privacy was a concern
                                                                                                                                                                                                           made the issues of data
                                                                                                                                                                                                           security and privacy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     online daily living will
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     continue in a multitude
                                                                                      create a connection                           networks of employees.                  for many, for millions         personally relevant.      of ways, particularly as
                                                                                      through an engaging                           Families had to organise                of others it wasn’t a                                    innovators work to create
Before COVID-19,             Although a range of        retailers had a head start.   occasion centred on                           internet services for a                 pressing issue. News of        Smart appliances are      bespoke hybrids of real
e-commerce was already       technologies make it       By May 2020, Shopify          one particular person.                        huge swell in online traffic.           the hackability of home        becoming commonplace,     and virtual interactions.
the future of retail.        possible to bring some     replaced the Royal Bank       And during what is
Brands knew that, and        of those points of         of Canada as the nation’s     undoubtedly one of
flagships around the         engagement into the        largest public company.D      the most bewildering                          A Contactless Economy Report | Deloitte, September 2020
                                                                                                                                    B American Psychological Association Survey, October 2020
world were increasingly      home, not all companies                                  years of peoples’ lives,                      C Public Health England, November 2020
experiential and digital     were ready for the pace    With additional space         moments of lightness,                         D BNN Bloomberg, May 2020
                                                                                                                                    E 2021 Ecommerce Trends | ecomdash.com, November 2020
while also playing to the    of change. For the most    in their daily routines,      joy and fun stand out                         F Computer Weekly, October 2020
exclusivity of location.     part, established online   consumers were thinking       particularly brightly.                        G Phishing and Fraud Report | F5 Labs, November 2020

26 | Aritco Report 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Aritco Report 2021 | 27
INNOVATIONS

                                 EVOLVING HOME
                                   O
                                   ECOSYSTEM
                                        S

                          Work        Health & Wellbeing            Shopping

28 | Aritco Report 2021                                    Aritco Report 2021 | 29
INNOVATION          EVOLVING HOME ECOSYSTEM

                                                                                              WHAT                                                                                                                   WHAT
                                                                                             Modular home                                                                                                           Digital platform for
                                                                                             office design for                                                                                                      creating engaging
                                                                                             upgrading                                                                                                              video meetings
                                                                                             presentations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     WHO
                                                                                              WHO                                                                                                                   All Turtles
                                                                                             MUTABOR
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     WHERE
                                                                                              WHERE                                                                                                                 United States
                                                                                             Germany
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     CONTACT
                                                                                              CONTACT                                                                                                               hello@mmhmm.
                                                                                             mutabor.de                                                                                                             app

                                                                                                                   CREDIT: ALL TURTLES
CREDIT: MUTABOR

                             HOME OFFICE KIT ADDS STYLE AND                                                                                  PLATFORM OPTIMISES ZOOM MEETINGS
                              FLEXIBILITY TO PRESENTATIONS                                                                                        WITH ENGAGING FEATURES
                                    MUTABOR offers employees working from home a brand-adequate                                            Users can choose from a vast library of virtual backgrounds, position a live video stream
                                               design for the home office workplace                                                               anywhere on-screen and synchronise backgrounds with another presenter.

                  The Hamburg-based           personal setup as                                                                          The digital studio All     Other features include
                  creative design company     easy as possible.
                                                                             TAKEAWAY                                                    Turtles has developed      a virtual laser pointer;
                                                                                                                                                                                                     TAKEAWAY
                  MUTABOR created                                                                                                        the Mmhmm platform         the ability to collaborate
                  a modular furniture         The idea is to                This concept was crafted at the                              that aims to put the fun   remotely on creating            Aside from reinvigorating remote
                  construction kit that can   replicate the in-person       height of the COVID-19 pandemic                              back into remote,          presentations; a tool to        work meetings, Mmhmm could
                  transform one’s home        presentation experience       when video meetings and                                      video meetings.            synchronise backgrounds         also be a game-changer for all
                  office environment,         in ways that software         webinars became part of the new                                                         with another presenter,         types of remote video content,
                  amounting to a              and digital add-ons           normal and it aims to provide                                All Turtles was founded    for a smooth transition;        including for home-based
                  professional upgrade of     cannot, including the         employers with ways to support                               with the realisation       and to easily upload            education. Making video more
                  the remote-working          ability to give standing      their staff with the increasing                              that a lot of remote       a video to sharing              dynamic, without requiring any
                  presentation experience.    presentations in a way        needs of a home office space.                                presentations that might   platforms like YouTube.         special skills, could increase the
                  The system helps present    similar to what would         While many digital solutions have                            have been energetic        The app works on a              democratisation of video content,
                  webinars from home with     be done in-person.            emerged that optimise the video                              in person, ended up        number of remote                making it more accessible and
                  an elevated and work-                                     conferencing experience, few take                            being flat and dull when   conference platforms            useful. According to Mmhmm,
                  appropriate aesthetic.      “The home office              the physical design of the home                              remote. So, they set       and not everyone in the         Beta testers interested in the
                                              should support modern         office into consideration. “In times                         out to design a set of     meeting needs the app –         app have included designers,
                  “The Branded Home           collaboration formats.           of employer branding, the                                 tools that allows anyone   only the one presenting.           musicians, religious leaders,
                  Office” kit includes        After all, it’s not just a           attractiveness of the work­                           to create compelling                                             and even hospital clowns.
                  presentation stands and     matter of using adequate               place goes hand in hand                             and interesting            The company was                         This represents a major
                  storage cabinets with       software to facilitate                   with creative workplace                           video presentations        inspired by its own                       opportunity to make
                  doors doubling as display   communication and                         design. New working                              themselves. Users          experiences with boring                    video conferencing
                  boards, providing several   creative exchange on a                    methods call for new                             can choose from a          and restrictive video                       more impactful for
                  options for displaying      laptop or static screen.                   spatial concepts,” the                          huge library of virtual    conference calls, saying:                   users wherever they
                  whiteboards and             It is more than that. For                  company says.                                   backgrounds, position      “Suddenly, we were all                      work and live.
                  poster-sized imagery.       those who prefer to stand                                                                  a live video stream        just bland heads-in-a-box,
                  There’s also an easily-     during presentations or                                                                    anywhere on the            and it was harder than
                  adjustable desk which,      moderation, a modern                                                                       background or on           ever to collaborate with,
                  like the other items, are   workstation should                                                                         the material you are       present to, and entertain
                  wheeled in order to         enable precisely that,”                                                                    discussing and even        each other. So, we built
                  make arranging your         the company says.                                                                          shrink or grow in size.    Mmhmm to fix that.”

                  30 | Aritco Report 2021                                                                                                                                                                                Aritco Report 2021 | 31
INNOVATION           EVOLVING HOME ECOSYSTEM

                                                                                                        WHAT                                                                                                                   WHAT
                                                                                                        Data protection                                                                                                        Contactless health
                                                                                                        device for the                                                                                                         monitoring system
                                                                                                        entire home
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               WHO
                                                                                                        WHO                                                                                                                    Turtle Shell
                                                                                                        Winston Privacy                                                                                                        Technologies

                                                                                                        WHERE                                                                                                                  WHERE
                                                                                                        United States                                                                                                          India

                                                                                                        CONTACT                                                                                                                CONTACT
                                                                                                        support@                                                                                                               contact@dozee.io
                                                                                                        winstonprivacy.
                                                                                                        com
CREDIT: WINSTON PRIVACY

                                                                                                                                 CREDIT: DOZEE
                                                                                                                                                   REMOTE RESPIRATORY MONITOR TRACKS
                                SMART HARDWARE SYSTEM ENCRYPTS                                                                                         SYMPTOMS AS PATIENT SLEEPS
                                    ALL ONLINE HOME DEVICES                                                                                                The contactless system can track changes in heart rate and sleeping patterns,
                                                                                                                                                                 reducing the number of unwarranted in-person medical visits.
                              A data security platform promises to prevent all invasions of privacy within the home,
                                      from being watched by a smart TV to smartphone app data collection.                                        Turtle Shell Technologies     diagnosis or checkup
                                                                                                                                                 in India has developed a      before a condition
                                                                                                                                                                                                               TAKEAWAY
                          Created by an ad-tech         businesses trying to                                                                     contactless health            deteriorates. The system
                          industry veteran, Winston     increase sales.
                                                                                      TAKEAWAY                                                   monitoring system.            meets the clinical 98.4        Already an area of growth, remote
                          is an easy-to-install smart                                                                                            Dozee uses a slim sensor      per cent accuracy              patient monitoring became a more
                          hardware encryption           With Winston installed,      Ease of use is vital for the millions                       sheet that fits under a       required for use in            urgent need at the onset of the
                          system that protects          all invasions of privacy,    of individuals and families now                             typical mattress and          medical settings.              coronavirus pandemic. Ageing
                          users’ online privacy.        from being watched by a      completing the majority of their                            connects to the internet                                     populations will likely further the
                          Once running, the             smart TV to smartphone       activities online. With a multitude                         in order to capture early     As well as COVID-19, the       trend, as more and more families
                          hardware filter protects      app data collection,         of in-real-life tasks moved to                              health warning signs,         sensing system helps           and communities become
                          every connected device        are prevented. Winston       the digital sphere, quick and                               such as changes to heart      track sleep apnea and          accustomed to home-based online
                          in the home.                  works by scrambling          minimal set-up requirements                                 rate and breathing and        monitor chronic                consultations and the use of digital
                                                        and encrypting a users          make it much more likely that                            sleeping patterns.            conditions such as                health records. We expect to see
                          The system works with         internet activity and               appropriate safety measures                                                        hypertension and other               even more focus on home-
                          all websites, devices         location with that of 20              will be installed and                              The system works by           respiratory illnesses.                  based preventative care
                          and streaming services,       to 30 other Winston                     followed. Furthermore,                           tracking micro-vibrations     The co-founders of the                   moving forward,
                          including Amazon’s            users. The groups                        in conjunction with the                         produced by the body          company focus their                       especially with the need
                          Alexa, webcams, smart         change hourly, making it                  growth in connected and                        and uses machine              research and                               to reduce burdens on
                          TVs and Wi-Fi routers.        impossible to track and                   AI-powered technologies                        learning and artificial       development on helping                     overwhelmed healthcare
                          The filter protects           follow any individual.                    comes changes to user                          intelligence to build a       to make preventative                       systems during health
                          users from pop-ups            Users have personal                       habits and requirements,                       comprehensive picture         healthcare part of life.                   crises, and as users
                          and cookies and, most         dashboards for network                   making virtual security                         of each individual’s          Future versions of                        continue to become
                          importantly, blocks all       analytics in order                      systems designed with                            baseline statistics and       Dozee will include                       more comfortable with
                          surveillance of users’        to see who is trying to               inbuilt flexibility an essential                   overall health profile. The   temperature monitoring                 the technology.
                          online activity, from         track them and through             component of home living,                             goal of Dozee is to help      capabilities among
                          potential hackers and         what content.                  working and recreation.                                   patients access a             other developments.

                          32 | Aritco Report 2021                                                                                                                                                                                  Aritco Report 2021 | 33
INNOVATION           EVOLVING HOME ECOSYSTEM

                                                                                                       FAROE ISLANDS             WHAT                                                                                                                                                           WHAT
                                                                                                                                 Custom VR-tours                                                                                                                                                AI music therapy
                                                                                                                                 for home-bound                                                                                                                                                 platform
                                                                                                                                 tourists
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                WHO
                                                                                                                                 WHO                                                                                                                                                            Muru Music Health
                                                                                                                                 Visit Faroe Islands

                                                                                                                                                                  CREDIT: SHUTTERSTOCK, MURU MUSIC HEALTH
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                WHERE
                                                                                                                                 WHERE                                                                                                                                                          Australia
                                                                                                                                 Denmark
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                CONTACT
CREDIT: KIRSTIN VANG/VISIT FAROE ISLANDS

                                                                                                                                 (Faroe Islands)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                murumusic.com/
                                                                                                                                 CONTACT                                                                                                                                                        contact
                                                                                                                                 info@
                                                                                                                                 visitfaroeislands.
                                                                                                                                 com

                                                                                                                                                                                                                MUSIC THERAPY PLATFORM USES AI TO
                                              LONDON

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   IMPROVE COGNITIVE FUNCTION
                                             A VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE FAROE ISLANDS                                                                                                                                   Muru Music Health relies on user input and AI algorithms to create personalized
                                               WITH REMOTE-CONTROLLED GUIDES                                                                                                                                                   playlists that aim to trigger mental health benefits.
                                                        From the comfort of their own homes, virtual visitors were able to control
                                                               their tour guides — camera-wearing locals — via an app.                                                                                      Muru Music Health has        input. Customers can
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        TAKEAWAY
                                                                                                                                                                                                            developed an AI music        provide feedback by
                                                                                                                                                                                                            therapy platform for         liking or disliking
                                           At the height of global
                                           COVID-19 lockdowns,
                                                                         heavily on tourism to
                                                                         augment traditional
                                                                                                           TAKEAWAY                                                                                         those suffering from
                                                                                                                                                                                                            cognitive decline.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         specific songs and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         writing comments.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       This merging of music therapy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       and AI shows great potential to
                                           The Faroe Islands, a          trades such as fishing                                                                                                             The platform, which          All of this results in a      support mental health ailments
                                           Danish territory, came        and sheep-herding,              For many, the pandemic resulted                                                                    provides access to a         dynamic playlist that         in a way that’s easily accessible
                                           up with a way to allow        and this year the               in fewer social interactions and                                                                   catalogue of a million       keeps updating and            in modern living environments.
                                           people around the world       Faroe Islands had               increasingly blurry boundaries                                                                     songs — the majority         evolving based on the         A Cochrane study A on depression
                                           to go on a self-guided        planned to ramp up              between work and home life. On                                                                     of which were released       user’s feedback.              “found that music therapy plus
                                           tour of the archipelago.      tourism with two new            top of this, the ability to travel —                                                               before the 1980s — was                                     treatment as usual is more
                                           Camera-wearing locals         200-room hotels in              one of life’s greatest pleasures                                                                   created with the ageing      “The difference here is       effective than treatment” alone.
                                           responded to sight-           the capital, Tórshavn.          — was also taken away. It’s no                                                                     population in mind,          we are looking at the         Other research has demonstrated
                                           seeing commands from          Although the pandemic           surprise that depression has risen                                                                 but the company plans        individual, and we’re         similar positive results when
                                           people at home, allowing      disrupted that ambition,        during the pandemic, with one                                                                      to expand its use to         looking specifically for      studying trauma and schizophrenia.
                                           virtual tourists to control   the hope was that the           US study A finding the disease has                                                                 also address broader         music to help them            Music appears to act as a medium
                                           their own route.              virtual tourism app             increased three-fold. Innovations                                                                  mental health disorders      relax, exercise, or trigger   for processing and addressing
                                                                         would encourage people          like this show the potential to                                                                    and support general          positive memories.            emotions, and can also be
                                           Virtual visitors controlled   to visit in person once         recreate some of the joys of travel                                                                wellbeing.                   That means we can’t           used as a stabilising or calming
                                           their tour guide using        it was safe to do so.           from home, providing a much-                                                                                                    really rely on music          agent for anxiety or dysregulation.
                                           a free app and had two                                           needed respite from the stresses                                                                A web-based platform         listening of another user
                                           minutes of control over       Until then, according to               brought on by COVID-19, and                                                                 built on Google Cloud,       because it doesn’t have
                                           the guide, who also           Visit Faroe Islands, they                demonstrates the potential                                                                the platform uses            the same effects,” Muru
                                           provided a commentary.        believed that seeing                       to provide meaningful                                                                   technology the company       Music’s founder Nicc
                                           After their two minutes       the islands through a                       experiences to those                                                                   calls “AI Music Brain”       Johnson says.
                                           were up it became             remotely operated                            unable to travel for a                                                                — a human-assisted AI
                                           someone else’s turn,          guide would at least                         variety of reasons.                                                                   system that analyses         Beyond broadening
                                           although virtual tourists     “bring you joy and                                                                                                                 large quantities of music    the health benefits
                                           could rejoin the queue        inspiration during these                                                                                                           to find similarities based   derived from the
                                           for another two minutes       challenging times – and                                                                                                            on personal music taste.     platform, Johnson
                                           any number of times.          we, of course, hope to                                                                                                             But unlike popular           hopes to integrate the
                                                                         welcome you in person                                                                                                              streaming platforms,         platform with connected
                                                                                                               A Prevalence of Depression Symptoms in US Adults
                                           The remote North              once you are free to                Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic | JAMA,
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Muru relies directly on      devices, like home smart
                                           Atlantic islands depend       travel again.”                   September 2020                                                                                    the user’s individual        speakers and wearables.       A Music therapy for depression | Cochrane, 2017

                                           34 | Aritco Report 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aritco Report 2021 | 35
INNOVATION           EVOLVING HOME ECOSYSTEM

                                                                                                                            WHAT                                                                                                                         WHAT
                                                                                                                           Voice ordering                                                                                                                AR tool to visualise
                                                                                                                           of groceries                                                                                                                  prospective wall art

                                                                                                                            WHO                                                                                                                          WHO
                                                                                                                           Carrefour and                                                                                                                 Etsy
                                                                                                                           Google
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         WHERE
                                                                                                                            WHERE                                                                                                                        United States
CREDIT: SHUTTERSTOCK, UNSPLASH

                                                                                                                           France
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         CONTACT
                                                                                                                            CONTACT                                                                                                                      etsy.com/contact
                                                                                                                           presse_france@
                                                                                                                           carrefour.com

                                     CARREFOUR AND GOOGLE PARTNER ON
                                       VOICE-BASED GROCERY SHOPPING
                                                 The French retailer became the first in the world to offer its customers
                                                           the voice shopping service on Google Assistant.

                                                                                                                                                   CREDIT: ETSY
                                 Carrefour Group, the         to deliver simple,
                                                                                                   TAKEAWAY
                                                                                                                                                                               AR FEATURE ALLOWS SHOPPERS
                                 French retailer operating    frictionless and deeply
                                 stores across 30             relevant experiences for

                                                                                                                                                                                   TO VISUALISE WALL ART
                                 countries, partnered with    shoppers in France.”                There is growing evidence
                                 US tech giant Google                                             that consumers are becoming
                                 to launch a voice-based      Users are able to give a            more comfortable using voice-
                                 e-commerce grocery           specific voice command              recognition devices in the home                                                    The tool enables users to get a sense of an Etsy’s products’ size,
                                 shopping experience.         to start the experience             and are seeing voice assistants as                                                             look and feel in their space of choice.
                                 The system allows            on Google Assistant and             “the smarter, faster, and easier way
                                 shoppers to make             then build their shopping           to perform everyday activities,” as
                                 purchases through the
                                 Google Assistant and
                                                              list. That includes specific
                                                              words such as “milk,”
                                                                                                  a study by PWC found.A According
                                                                                                  to this study, roughly 50 per cent
                                                                                                                                                                  Etsy developed an
                                                                                                                                                                  augmented reality (AR)
                                                                                                                                                                                               and plans to make
                                                                                                                                                                                               the feature available
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    TAKEAWAY
                                 Google Home devices,         and product or brand                of consumers have already made                                  tool to help users           on Android too.
                                 share shopping lists and     names. The shopping                 purchases using a voice assistant                               visualise art, photos and                                        The pandemic has created an
                                 convert the shopping         lists can then be shared            and another 25 per cent have                                    prints in their homes.       Already operating                   environment where the benefits
                                 list into a shopping cart.   with others, like family            considered it. “The majority of items                           Etsy users can open the      ahead of the game for               of AR and VR for shoppers have
                                 Carrefour was the first      members, who can also               purchased are small and quick and                               retailer’s app on their      some time, the virtual-             become more relevant as shoppers
                                 retailer in the world to     add any items they want.            are things that someone could buy                               iPhone or iPad and use       only retailer developed             purchase more goods from home.
                                 integrate with the new       Finally, Google Assistant           without necessarily having to see it                            the new augmented            the feature as part of              Apps like Etsy’s are becoming
                                 voice-based grocery          will convert the shopping           physically,” PWC found, and staple                              reality tool to visualise    an effort to provide                particularly useful and follow a
                                 shopping experience on       list into a shopping cart,             grocery items fit this mould                                 how wall art will fit into   customers with “a                      greater movement of retailers
                                 the Google Assistant.        proposing products that                   perfectly. Further partnerships                           their home or space.         more visual shopping                      providing more AR and
                                                              most closely reflect the                     like Google and Carrefour’s                                                         experience”. The tool                       VR tools as consumers
                                 “Shoppers today              user’s preferences. This                       will only encourage this                             Whilst the beta launch of    enables users to get a                        become more
                                 are saddled with             will be based on whether                        trend further.                                      the tool only includes       sense of products’                             comfortable using the
                                 disconnected experiences     the shopper has already                                                                             prints, photographs and      size, look and feel in                          technologies. A recent
                                 through the shopping         purchased the product,                                                                              portraits, there are         their space of choice,                          survey by Gartner and
                                 journey,” says Sébastien     or because the Google                                                                               already over five million    an advantage for                                GetAppA had 47 per
                                 Missoffe, VP and             Assistant has deduced                                                                               items available in the art   furniture brands, where                         cent of the respondents
                                 managing director of         the preferences based on                                                                            and collectables             determining the size                           saying the pandemic has
                                 Google France. “We           the general purchasing                                                                              category. The company        of a bed or table is                          changed their attitudes
                                 wanted to explore new        habits of the customer                                                                              also hopes to expand its     particularly important                      towards AR technology.
                                 distribution models and      at Carrefour, best price                                                                            AR feature into other        to ensure it fits in the
                                 e-commerce technologies      available, and best sellers.        A Prepare for the voice revolution | PWC, 2018                  categories in the future     dimensions of the room.             A GetApp AR/VR Survey 2020, August 2020

                                 36 | Aritco Report 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                       Aritco Report 2021 | 37
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