Need to Know

Portland – Product designer Alex Hill has created a concept shoe that uses biomechanics to enhance performance running.

The new methodology, entitled Frequency, aims to implement foot physiology and algorithms into the creative design process. Using biomechanical data taken from 3D foot scans, Hill has developed a weave structure that can morph around the foot. This material then allows for enhanced flexibility and support for performance runners.

‘There is a big opportunity to create new material construction and geometrics to develop holistic and interconnected performance footwear,’ Hill said in a statement.

Although Frequency is currently a concept shoe, other footwear designers like Vibram are considering how they can use material innovation and personalisation to improve the running experience.

Missouri – Saint Louis University (SLU) has become the first college to integrate Amazon Alexa devices into every student residence.

The university will offer more than 2,300 Echo Dots in student dorm rooms and apartments on campus. By installing a custom SLU skill on each device, students can ask question specific to the university, such as ‘What time does the library close tonight?’

The technology will allow all students to interact on a new level with the university, find out about events and assist their studying at no extra cost. ‘Every minute we can save our students from having to search for the information they need online is another minute that they can spend focused on what matters most: their education,’ says David Hakanson, vice president at SLU.

As well as catering to a new class of student who expect the highest standard of education, voice assistants are increasingly becoming an expected perk of the hospitality experience.

According to new statistics by Forrester, China’s online retail market will be more than double the size of the US market by the end of 2018, buoyed by the likes of Alibaba and JD.com. The internet giants together account for more than 85% of the market, demonstrating their growing influence over the nation.

There is also room for growth, as just 38% of China’s population is shopping online. By 2022, it’s expected that the country’s online retail sales will increase at an 8.5% compound annual growth rate until 2022.

Read The State of Luxury: China to discover more about how brands can enter the nation’s booming domestic retail market.