News 19.12.2022

Need to Know

Unism imagines the factory of the future, an AI solution supercharging product search in e-commerce and half of US adults live with their parents.

Unism imagines the factory of the future

Unism, Poland
Unism, Poland
Unism, Poland

Poland ­– Architecture studio Unism has envisaged a new forward-thinking proposition for factory design: a below-ground facility, concealed by a grass rooftop that blends into the rural environment.

Developed for the pet food company EcoPet, the subterranean factory plan is adapted to fit the surrounding landscape, drawing on biomimicry principles. While all production and storage functions are located below ground, the upper levels will be open to the public, hosting a visitor centre, a research centre and workspaces for the company’s office staff.

‘Unlike a typical large-scale industrial development, the EcoPet factory aims to stay symbiotic with nature by blending its form with the local landscape. We hope it will become a blueprint for similar projects in the area,’ the studio said in a statement.

With this project, Unism hopes to be a model for the factories of tomorrow, and inspire initiatives making industrial areas more respectful of rural landscapes, but also engaging local communities by becoming Open-door HQs.

Strategic opportunity

Consider how innovative design can be used to upgrade a purely functional space, or even turn it into a public-facing destination

An AI solution supercharging product search in e-commerce

Europe ­– Macedonian start-up Pixyle AI has developed a visual artificial intelligence solution to enhance search experiences for fashion e-commerce, thanks to auto-generated image-tagging.

The visual AI tool identifies fashion items in images, determines which product category they fall into, and automatically tags attributes such as colour, pattern or material in a taxonomy commonly used by shoppers.Understanding customers’ shopping intent is vital. We train Pixyle’s AI algorithms to interpret images exactly how humans would. We’re trying to make online shopping as frictionless as possible, and hopefully more enjoyable, by letting people easily find what they are looking for,’ says Svetlana Kordumova, the founder and CEO.

The company, which has just secured £869,600 ($1.06m, €1m) in seed funding, plans to provide SEO-optimised auto-generated product descriptions and to expand its services to homeware and furniture by 2024.

If you are an LS:N Global subscriber, head to the retail section to find out about the latest innovations disrupting the sector, from UX sustainability hubs to decentralised retail models in Web3.

Pixyle AI, Macedonia

Strategic opportunity

For e-tailers, such an automation solution has multiple benefits. Besides being cost-effective, it has potential to give businesses an edge in terms of consumer experience

Nearly half of young adults in the US are living with their parents

Terrace House by Austin Maynard Architects, Australia Terrace House by Austin Maynard Architects, Australia

US – Nearly half of young adults in the US aged 18–29 are living with their parents, fuelling a luxury boom, according to Morgan Stanley analysis of US Census Bureau data.

The figure of 48% is the highest since 1940, and is a signal that this trend is boosting discretionary spending by young adults. In turn, this is partly responsible for the surge in popularity of handbags, watches and jewellery.

‘This, of course, is not the only reason luxury goods consumers are getting younger in the West (social media also plays an important part). But we see it as fundamentally positive for the industry,’ said the analysts.

Morgan Stanley says it is seeing a similar trend in the UK. The number if 15–34-year-olds living with their parents has reached 42%, rising from 35% in 1999. In the first half of 2022, imports of luxury Swiss watches into the UK rose by 31% year on year, The Guardian reported, citing data from the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry.

Strategic opportunity

The reason more younger people are living at home is to save money. Consider how your business can address the opportunities presented by this increasingly common family dynamic

Previous News Articles
ZZZN sleep apparel system blends biometric data with wearable comfort

News

ZZZN sleep apparel system blends biometric data with wearable comfort

As sleep technology continues to evolve, ZZZN has introduced its Sleep Apparel System – a multi-functional puffer jacket designed to double as slee...
Fashion : Health & Wellness : Design
AI outperforms human therapists in couples therapy study

News

AI outperforms human therapists in couples therapy study

AI may soon play a bigger role in mental health support, as a new PLOS Mental Health study has found that ChatGPT therapists often outperformed hum...
Technology : Health & Wellness : Society
Stat: Younger travellers set sail as the cruise industry gains momentum

News

Stat: Younger travellers set sail as the cruise industry gains momentum

The cruise industry is riding a wave of renewed popularity, driven by a younger, more engaged demographic.
Travel & Hospitality : Society : Health & Wellness
LS:N Global Just Got Smarter

News

LS:N Global Just Got Smarter

Meet our new AI tool, Ember.
The Future Laboratory
James Turrell brings light and space to Saudi Arabia’s Wadi AlFann

News

James Turrell brings light and space to Saudi Arabia’s Wadi AlFann

Saudi Arabia’s Wadi AlFann (Valley of the Arts) is holding a landmark exhibition celebrating James Turrell’s mastery of light and perception as par...
Design : Travel & Hospitality : Architecture
Adidas Originals unveils premium line A-Type

News

Adidas Originals unveils premium line A-Type

Adidas Originals has introduced A-Type, an evolving collection that re-imagines the brand’s most iconic designs with premium craftsmanship.
Luxury : Sports & Leisure : Fashion
Stat: Europeans prioritise wellness over sustainability in food choices

News

Stat: Europeans prioritise wellness over sustainability in food choices

A new survey from the EIT Food Consumer Observatory reveals a declining focus on sustainability in European diets, with only 9% of respondents prio...
Sustainability : Food & Drink : Society
Aesop’s new Hainan store uses algae to elevate the luxury retail experience

News

Aesop’s new Hainan store uses algae to elevate the luxury retail experience

Luxury cosmetic brand Aesop’s latest store, in Hainan, is pushing the boundaries of sustainable design, using algae to create an immersive, ocean-i...
Retail : Beauty : Design
Conceivable Life Sciences is transforming IVF with robotics and AI

News

Conceivable Life Sciences is transforming IVF with robotics and AI

Conceivable Life Sciences – the biotech company using AI to revolutionise IVF – has secured £14.3m ($18m, €17.2m) in funding led by Artis Ventures,...
Technology : Health & Wellness : Society
Stat: Fragrance becomes the second-largest luxury beauty category in 2024

News

Stat: Fragrance becomes the second-largest luxury beauty category in 2024

Fragrance took centre stage in beauty retail in 2024, emerging as the second-largest category in prestige beauty behind make-up, according to year-...
Beauty : Luxury : Retail
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN