SensiMate and Living Labs: Consumer research live and in real-life environments
In an age where environmental and social awareness is paramount, the food and drink industry faces the challenge of integrating sustainability into products. This involves not just pleasing the consumer’s palate, but also considering the ecological and social impact of their choices.
Data-Driven Futures
What does launching a new tomato-flavored soda have to do with the development of smart cities? Interestingly, more than what it might seem at first glance.
Both actions rely on the collection and analysis of volumes of data from the real world, testing in already existing infrastructures. This is known as a “living lab”.
Living Labs are open innovation ecosystems in real-life environments using iterative feedback processes throughout the entire lifecycle of an innovation.
Essentially, they provide a dynamic platform where ideas are not merely conceptualized but tested and refined in real-world scenarios. SensiMate has adopted this method to do consumer research.
By testing new food and drink products in real life environments, not only can we reach a wider and more varied audience, but the input obtained is closer to the one exerted in an interaction in real life.
This approach enhances the likelihood of developing solutions that are not only innovative but also readily accepted and implemented.
Innovating for a Diverse World
One notable example of a living lab is the Amsterdam Smart City initiative. But not only neighborhoods can be living labs.
Any physical space in which there are constant and relevant interactions generating data that can be gathered and analyzed can be a living lab: from a coffee shop to temporary venues, like music festivals. Learn more about contextualized testing reading our client stories here.
In essence, the collaborative and user-centric nature of living labs ensures that the innovations generated are not just technically sound but also resonate with the diverse needs of the consumer base.
They serve as fertile ground for breakthroughs that might initially seem unrelated. In doing so, it highlights the transformative power of data and community engagement in shaping the future, whether it be through the refreshing sip of a novel beverage or the seamless functioning of a smart urban landscape.
Tags: #DataDrivenInnovation #LivingLabs
