Silicon Valley startups have been embraced by the Automotive & Industrial Systems Company of the Panasonic Corporation, to be part of a new initiative to develop innovative IoT businesses and services, utilizing the lean startup method. The ensuing collaboration was highlighted at CES 2018, via the showcasing of innovative IoT hardware and services that focused on user experience.
By engaging with their customers and leveraging “Touch by Panasonic”, the solutions displayed at CES 2018 used the natural interface of touch in real applications for factories and home use. Among the presented solutions was a one-touch home automation switch called “eny Switch”, using energy-harvesting and secure wireless technology to produce a maintenance-free and highly efficient IoT switch for smart devices within a home.
Through “eny Switch” and other showcased products and services, Panasonic demonstrates how technology will increase comfort in multiple life areas. Other solutions include a camera stabilizer combining image stabilization with tracking functions, and a communication module enabling ID authentication and simple communication through a single touch.
The lean startup method works by clarifying market and user needs step-by-step through short-cycle testing of hypotheses. It costs less than conventional product development as innovations are assessed through direct engagement with the target market and adaptions made from the feedback obtained.
All advancements on display at CES 2018 leverage UI/UX technology, with UI (User Interface) covering the interface between a user and the device, while UX (User Experience) covers the experience a user gains through the service.
