Adidas opens second robot factory with only 150 human employees

April 26, according to the US “Commercial Insider” website, Adidas recently opened its second smart factory, Speedfactory, in Atlanta, United States. The fully automated factory occupies approximately 74,000 square feet (about 6,874 square meters), but there are only 150 human employs.

Adidas's first Speedfactory in Germany, covering about 4,600 square meters, was officially put into production last year. The company stated that its goal is to achieve a combined annual output of 1 million pairs of plants by 2020. Although this number sounds great, it is still only a fraction of the total annual output of Adidas. In fact, using high-tech technologies such as the 3d printer and AI, this factory can achieve the expected effect.

In 2017, Adidas produced 403 million pairs of shoes, which produced an average of more than 1 million pairs per day. For Adidas, the biggest significance of the emergence of smart factories is to explore new technologies and be closer to consumers. How to? By providing more intimate and different customized products and services. Its greatest feature is "customer customization." Gil Steyaert, the executive committee member of Adidas Global Operations, said that Speedfactory "will complement our main source of supply. They will never replace our main source of supply."

In addition, Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted said in an interview with reporters recently that SpeedFactory is an experiment and an attempt for future technology that helps meet the needs of some niche markets, but since SpeedFactory's production is limited, there is no significant and absolute influence to the production pattern.

So far, Adidas has only employed about 150 employees in Speedfactory in the United States. This relatively low figure means that using automation technology, it is economically feasible to set up factories in a country that lacks high-skilled shoe workers. This indeed indicates the future development trend of the footwear industry.

Nokia smart watch project Moonraker prototype exposure

April 23 news Moonraker, which once had rumors of being hacked, once again revealed that the video on Protobetatest.com showing more details of the engineering smart watch. Nokia's development of smart watches was originally intended to be used in conjunction with Lumia, but due to the acquisition of Nokia by Microsoft, this product has not been able to enter the market. Previously, Protobetatest.com had already uploaded a video. The uploaded video basically showed all the features of Moonraker to everyone.

According to media reports, the Nokia smart watch Moonraker was once again exposed by media in recent days. Its prototype is similar in appearance to Apple's Apple Watch and uses a square dial design. The difference is that Moonraker is equipped with an LCD material screen with a resolution of 240 x 190, a physical button at the bottom of the screen, and also uses a Windows 10 style tile-like UI, the main feature is that it can be linked with Lumia equipment. In addition, Moonraker is equipped with basic configurations such as NFC and gyroscopes, but it is not equipped with a heart rate sensor and therefore does not have corresponding health data tracking. As early as 2016, the media exposed the Nokia smart watch project, but since Nokia was acquired by Microsoft, this smart watch has not entered the market.

It is understood that the Moonraker prototype adopts a 200x190 LCD screen with a physical button on the bottom, and the overall use of a tile-like UI similar to the Windows 10 style can be linked with the Lumia device like the smartphone. Moonraker does not have a heart rate sensor but has other configurations devices such as NFC and gyroscopes.

The video released this time shows the user some of the basic functions of Moonraker, such as making calls, sending text messages, counting steps, changing mobile phone sound modes, playing music, viewing call records, etc. The overall degree of completion of the system is still high. Unfortunately, it has not been introduced to the market.

Xiaomi may become the new owner of GoPro

In outdoor sports circles, GoPro is a well-known sports video camera with a market value of up to US$10 billion once. However, GoPro's share price has been declining and the market value has shrunk to about 700 million U.S. dollars now, after successively experiencing unsuccessful drone product failures, over-quota pricing, and the influx of more entry-level users being blocked by more brands. So GoPro's CEO Nick Woodman also said that he welcomes the purchase transaction. According to media reports, Xiaomi from China will likely become the new owner of this sports camera giant.

This is not really the first time GoPro has found a new owner. After the investment bank made contact with the Chinese drone manufacturer DJI on this matter, DJI at the end did not initiate an acquisition of GoPro. DJI did not consider the acquisition of GoPro will give it explanatory value. And Xiaomi, we know that in addition to the main business of smart phones, they also invested in a large number of consumer electronics companies, including a lower-priced sports camera, the Mijia Xiaomi Action Sport Camera, and also invested the Xiaoyi Technology which also has corresponding sports camera products.

Therefore, it is not a strange thing that Xiaomi is now trying to acquire GoPro. For Xiaomi, the acquisition of GoPro will allow it to quickly establish its advantages in the sports camera field. For example, GoPro's market brand, excellent performance products and related technologies are places where Xiaomi is worth investing. For GoPro, with Xiaomi's brand and channels, it may be possible to reverse the decline again. After all, the importance of the Chinese market is more than necessary. Everyone knows clearly.

GoPro's share price soared by 8.8% in the news that Xiaomi might acquire GoPro. This shows that the market has responded positively. But then again, according to analysts, this year, GoPro's sales will fall again by 8%, still unable to make profits, so the acquisition can be successful or not is not sure yet. 

Fitbit's new smart watch Versa will be designed for women

A few days ago we reported that Fitbit will release a new smart watch that looks more rounded than Blaze and Ionic, and some close to Apple Watch's design style. Recently, Fitbit revealed that this smart watch will be named Versa and the price will be more budget-friendly.

With media reports, this Fitbit Versa smart watch will be mainly for female users, so its shape will be more compact, it will be even more lightweight. The smart watch will support 50 meters of waterproof and has an oxygen sensor and sleep monitor, but it is said that this smart watch does not support GPS. Fitbit Versa smartwatch will launch four colors in black, silver, rose gold and dark green, but it has not yet announced a specific release date and more products details, but it is reported that it will come at Christmas this year.

The media reported at the end of February that smartwatch maker Fitbit is developing a home wearable product, which is expected to be released this year. Prior to this Versa smart watch renderings were exposed. Now that more information has been disclosed, the Versa smart watch is aimed at the mass market, especially female users, and is more compact and mini in design.

The Versa device is similar to the previous Fitbit Smart Watch dial and is smaller and thinner, and will be available in four beautiful colors that suit the taste of women. The smart watch supports waterproof, in addition, of course, it will support blood oxygen sensor, sleep detector, and other necessary features. However, some reports point out that Versa smart watch does not support GPS, which is a bit regrettable and surprising. It's not yet clear to know the Versa smartwatch's specific time to market, but it is heard that it may come during this Christmas holiday. We will keep following to update you the latest news about the smart watch industry.

Bose has released "AR" glasses that can only be heard - part 2

In addition, Bose glasses can also be used to receive calls, text messages. Bose can identify people's head movements. When a phone call comes in, you can nod and connect to the phone or shake your head to hang up. Shaking the head from side to side can also manipulate the menu.

Bose has set up a $50 million fund for Bose AR developers to reward startup companies for creating content based on Bose AR, and has listed software partners including Yelp, TripAdvisor, ASICS Studio, TuneIn, and fitness company Strava. Obviously, Bose hopes to build an AR platform where enterprises and developers can create their own applications. Bose business manager Santiago Carvajal sees Rayban and Warby Parker and other listed companies as potential hardware partners. Bose said that we are negotiating with some wearable hardware manufacturers in the field of glasses, but the price has not yet been determined and depends on the glasses manufacturers themselves.

The company wants to apply Bose AR to as many devices as possible. At the SXSW, Bose provided a large display of bicycle helmets, prescription glasses and bluetooth headphones as possible future products. Bose had two AR-equipped devices on the SXSW, a modified version of the 3D printed sunglasses and QuietComfort 30 headphones.

John Gordon, Bose’s vice president of consumer electronics, commented, “Bose AR is a new type of augmented reality technology that works for everyone. It places audio around you, not digital images, so your vision will not be confined to a small screen, it knows where you are and can use audio to provide relevant information in real-time, bringing more possibilities for travel, learning, and music, and Bose can be added to products and applications we already use. It can eliminate some of the obstacles of AR."

Although hearing is also a major sensory target for human beings, visual sources occupy more than 90% of the sources of information and people are always chasing more realistic virtual influences. However, the path to exploration of optics is very difficult. It will take time for AR to completely change people's lives. Vaunt's AR glasses are dedicated to hearing and provide a new path. Other AR glasses can fully integrate Bose's sound enhancement function and develop AR glasses with the same strong visual and auditory abilities. Bose AR glasses will be available in the summer of 2018 at an unknown price.

Bose has released "AR" glasses that can only be heard - part 1

Bose, known for his noise-reducing headphones, recently launched a Bose AR glasses at the SXSW in Austin.

Unlike Google's Google Glass, Microsoft's HoloLens and Intel's Vaunt and other AR glasses, Bose does not use optical lenses to overlay a layer of virtual visual information in the world seen by the human eye. Bose's AR glasses have neither optical lenses nor cameras. What they have to do is provide sound to enhance the real-life experience.

Bose showcased a prototype of 3D printed glasses at SXSW. According to media reports, the glasses look like ordinary sunglasses. Wearing them in public places will not attract special attention. Mashable's correspondent said that it is lightweight and stress-free, even if the battery and electronic components are placed on the frame. In my opinion, it is a bit heavier than Intel's Vaunt smart glasses. There are two small directional loudspeakers on the frame of the glasses. Users do not need to wear earplugs to hear sounds. Others cannot hear sound unless they rest their ears on the speakers. Since Bose is so good at making high-quality bluetooth stereo earphone, I bet this one will be also equipped with excellent sound quality.

The Mashable reporter described that Bose demonstrated outdoor applications on site. When you look at a landmark building, double-click on the touch area of the glasses frame and Bose will explain the tour for you. Bose AR glasses do not have a camera, so the position is not judged by image recognition. According to Bose, it is equipped with a motion sensor that can accurately detect your orientation. With a GPS-equipped mobile phone, Bose AR glasses can clearly know what you are looking at.

This technology sounds similar to that of Intel's smart glasses Vaunt. The application scenarios of the two are similar, except that one is playing sounds and the other is displaying text or images. Working with a suitable content provider, for example, when you look at a restaurant, Bose can provide information on restaurant introductions, ratings, and more.

Global shared bicycle users increased to 227 million

On March 7, Cheetah Lab, the mobile data research institute, released the "Sharing Cyclist Global Development Report." The report predicts that the number of shared bicycle users worldwide will continue to grow, reaching 306 million by 2019, and the potential for overseas markets will be huge, while Asia will become a hot spot.

Seen by all the capital, Chinese shared bicycles are developing rapidly and the competition is fierce. After many rounds of "shuffling", the shared bicycles dominated by Mobike and ofo in China's first-tier cities, and the second and third tier cities are in a state of "demonic battle." At present, Mobike bicycles and ofo have accelerated their deployment in the international market and actively launch bicycles in Japan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. According to public figures, Mobike bikes and ofo have been operating in dozens of cities overseas. In February this year, Mobike held a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, declaring their entry into the Israeli market.

Overseas markets are also competitive, but each shared bicycle company has its own advancement and retreat. Gobee, the earliest Hong Kong pileless sharing bike that entered France, announced in February this year that due to the large number of thefts and damages, the company was unable to maintain its business and decided to withdraw from France. The quality of aluminum alloy bicycle pedals is very good and durable.

"In terms of the current global distribution of cycling active users, Asia, mainly China and Singapore, is the hottest area for sharing cycling," Cheetah think tank reports, "followed by Europe, represented by Britain, France, and Italy Market, the United States market just began to heat up." The think tank predicted that in the next two years, the sharing of bicycles in the overseas market will have 5 to 10 times for growth. Among them, Asia's huge population base and the rapid growth of sharing bicycles endogenous motivation will make Asia a hotly contested spot for many enterprises.