A look at how major brands can leverage the burgeoning Maker Movement and IoT to enhance both the customer experience and their marketing efforts.
If you need any further validation that the Maker Movement has picked up steam, just take look at what some major brands have done over the last several months.
Netflix
The Adafruit Pro Trinket-equipped Netflix Socks detect when you’ve dozed off and send a signal to your TV, automatically pausing whatever it is you’re binge-watching.
Adidas
This concept shoe is made up of an upper constructed from ocean plastic materials along with a 3D-printed midsole of recycled polyester and gill net.
New Balance
This pair of high-performance running shoes will include a 3D printed-midsole.
Nike
The Back to the Future II-inspired, self-lacing Nike Mags are now a reality.
Lexus
This concept RC F connects to a driver and displays their heartbeat in real-time through electro-luminescent paint.
Disney
The turtlish BeachBot autonomously creates large scale sand drawings.
The Parse for IoT SDK supports the Arduino Zero with the Wi-Fi 101 Shield as well as the Arduino Yún.
Royal Caribbean
The cruise line’s latest groundbreaking ships, the Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, features two bartending robotic arms that precisely mix drinks to order.
Amazon
The online empire revealed the latest prototype of drones it will deploy as part of its Prime Air service, as well as a connected Dash Button that lets shoppers reorder frequently used household products with a simple touch.
Dole
This ‘wearable’ banana, which was designed for the Tokyo Marathon, is equipped with an LED display and sensors under its skin. The smart fruit monitors a runner’s race time and heart rate, and even shows tweets urging them onwards.
Kagome
This piggybacking robot, aptly named Tomatan, feeds a wearer tomatoes as they jog.
Levi’s
The clothing company partnered with Google’s Project Jacquard to bring touch-sensitive smartphone control to jeans.
AIAIAI
The Booty Drum is a wearable unit that turns ‘twerking’ into music. (NSFW.)
EasyJet
The European airline, with the help of CuteCircuits, unveiled a first-of-its kind smart uniform for both cabin crew and aircraft engineers. The futuristic, LED-laden outfits will enhance communication and passenger safety procedures.
GE
The company’s FirstBuild microfactory debuted an affordable, in-home nugget ice machine, Opal, that went on to garner more than $2 million on Indiegogo.
Local Motors
The manufacturer plans to begin selling the first highway-ready, 3D-printed cars next year within the price range of $18,000 to $30,000.
Hershey’s
The sweets giant partnered with 3D Systems to make an advanced chocolate 3D printer.
Barilla
The pasta maker held a 3D printing competition to explore new shapes and designs.
Crocs
The shoe brand showed off a possible future alternative to heading out to its store by experimenting with drones as a delivery option at a pop-up store in Japan.
Domino’s
The Easy Order smart button pairs to a smartphone app via Bluetooth and makes ordering your favorite pizza simpler than ever.
Hoover
The company let customers 3D print parts for their vacuums by downloading the accessories on Thingiverse.
Huit Denim
The UK jean specialist used Bare Conductive’s Electric Paint and Arduino to turn its window storefront into a touch interface.
Samsung
The Talking Fridge was embedded with Arduino-based sensors to detect customers and sell itself in real-time.
… and while not the brainchild of McDonald’s itself, this project was pretty awesome. The McNugget vending machine is comprised entirely out of LEGO. Simply insert a €2 coin, sit back and let it deliver a box of chicken in seconds, complete with the requisite dipping sauce.
Atmel | Bits & Pieces 