Eco super model

Just saw this... a new generation of super model lorries that help to reduce carbon emissions whilst also providing more haulage space.

The aerodynamic innovation is predicted to reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 10%.


Image care of www.shiply.com

A parking revolution

Writing that title makes me think that this could be a very boring blog! But believe me once you've used intelligent parking you will never want to park in the normal way ever again.

The intelligent parking system is becoming more common in large, new complexes such as Westfield London and T5 Heathrow. It is definitely a system that has been designed with parkers in mind, here's a drivers experience:

- as I enter the car park there are signs indicating the number of available parking bays in different locations of the car park, this info is real time, so it's accurate at the point I am looking at it. I can then make a choice about the best area for speedy parking

- then as I drive through the car park there are more signs that again indicate the number of available parking bays within the immediate area, handily directing me to the most likely available spot

- now that I am in an area where there are supposed to be available spaces I can see rows of lights positioned above each parking bay, colour coded to indicate which bays are available and which are taken.


In summary, when these parking systems are in place you don't really think that much about them but you do appreciate not having to spending time, sitting in a hot, stuffy and polluted multi-storey car-park.. just follow the lights and they'll find you a space, nice!

Images care of: Highlightparking

Don't play with your food!

On a mid-week field trip through the capital, Inamo restaurant on Wardour Street was the top of the must see list! The concept behind it came from the owners own frustration with not being able to get a waiters attention, something I'm sure we've all experienced at some time.... The basic idea is that the menu is projected on to the tables and you interact and order from it via a small pad in one corner.



The idea that you can order anything on the menu at the touch of a button is obviously very efficient but also a very clever form of relaxed ordering that makes it very easy to stack up quite a bill.



Many psychological studies have proved that the key to raising sales is to encourage your consumers to "linger for longer'. The longer they're in a store or restaurant, generally, the more money they will spend.

So another little trick Inamo has up it's sleeve (whether it knows it or not!) is that it's very entertaining projection technology can keep you busy for a fair time, playing games, checking the chief doesn't drop your food on the floor with 'chief-cam' and changing your table cloth 30 times over.. all whilst ordering another round of cocktails.



So the fact that this restaurant is so unique and currently the only one of it's kind in the world certainly makes it a destination and something unique to talk about so the young, trendy crowds of Soho are no doubt spreading the word as we speak!

Twilight Phenomenon/ MIT Breakthrough

After finishing the Twilight Saga I feel it is only appropriate to share with you some of my enthusiasm for the sensational story created by Stephanie Meyer. This fascinating love story has taken the nation by storm and Stephanie Meyer is being referred to as the next J.K. Rowling. The Story is reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet and takes a modern twist on the ultimate forbidden love affair. The main characters Bella Swan and Edward Cullen soon after meeting become swept up in a passionate but deadly romance. Edward is beautiful and mysterious but is also a natural predator of humans, and the closer he gets to Bella the harder he battles with temptation to resist from taking her life.



Admittedly I only discovered these books after watching the Twilight movie, which takes me on to the reason for writing this blog. After reading the first book in the series I couldn’t stay away from the bookstore, I simply had to have the next edition in the Twilight Saga. Therefore it comes to my attention that without the marketing of the film and the experience of enjoying it, that I would have had no desire to go to buy the books? Why you ask…. Well, I would have no knowledge of the books and admittedly I’m not one for regularly visiting my local bookstore. I find this somewhat depressing to feel that I could have missed out in reading and being fascinated with the Twilight Saga due to the lack of interest I have with the bookstore.



…. So why is it that the bookstore isn’t as popular as the local cinema? ok some might say that the film industry has the upper hand when it comes to marketing but I personally believe that we aren’t gaining enough from our visits to bookstores to make it become part of our social routines. I feel that they need to open our eyes to how incredible the stories in these books really are. They need to make us trust them in our purchases. We need reassurance that we are buying the right thing. When you enter a bookstore it can be rather intimidating with so much choice, where do you begin to try to find the perfect book that’s right for you?

Ok so you have Amazon and other online websites that sell books and offer reviews but is it the same? Do you get to feel the book, experience it and really enjoy the experience of being in store surround by so many wonderful stories?
Which brings me to my next topic, what If you could walk in to a store and pick up a book and get an instant rating or even a review by your favorite critic or maybe info on the author and their past pieces of work. Well new technology being created at MIT will allow you to do just that. They have created a wearable device with a projector that helps create easier interaction with our environment. To find out more select the link below

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/pattie_maes_demos_the_sixth_sense.html

Imagine what this kind of technology could do. It would help us build and gain more trust in our day-to-day decisions. This could offer a whole new dimension to going to a bookstore and could offer a deeper insight into the books and help us to more openly interact. The only problem being is that this technology is about 10 years away from now and bookstores may not last that long if they don't react to the changing market.

By looking at today's market and what is currently available we can try to adapt that and make it work for bookstores. Currently the IPhone is a great example of how much technology has progressed and by using data feeds to run applications it gives us access to knowledge we may require. This could be brought to bookstores by creating info points where you can scan books and the screen will use its data feeds to give appropriate info such as reviews and ratings. This is just an idea but I am still hopeful that bookstores will see the change in customers needs and therefore will adapt to become more current with technology.

How long will it take...

...till we catch-up with our friends in mainland Europe when it comes to recycling?

We talk a good game in this country and sure, steps are being taken to reduce landfill waste but it seems we are lagging behind other European cities when it comes to everyday life.

Recent trips to Norway and Belgium were a real eye-opener in terms of everyday inclusion of recycling. From recycling bins on streets, in stations, airports and even on trains, they are on every corner!

Lets hope this type of inclusion hits our streets soon and it becomes part of everyday life for everyone...not dependent on your postcode!

Midnight bakery

On an early evening stroll around the West End last night in search of food I was surprised by how many places had shut up for the day. We decided to head towards Basaba on Wardour street as a safe option but just before reaching it passed a place a normally missed from blind hunger, Princi. Bearing in mind the streets were fairly quiet this place was buzzing! So much so I was a bit intimidated to go in. Nothing was hidden from the outside with the full height glass shop front. With my face pressed up against the glass the first thing that stood out was the simple metre deep counter neatly displaying rows of pastries, pizzas, meats and salads.



The interior was clean and bright and the bread was framed in lit recesses in the back wall. All the surfaces were chunky and and made up of simple, clean plains. This all day bakery is open 7am till 12 at night! and doesn't even need to flex through out the day because the food is so versatile and the displays are so extensive but so simple. Next time I eat out I'll definitely be going there for a closer look and some sneaky photos!

Sunkost, Oslo

Following a recent trip to Oslo we stumbled across Sunkost - a modern day retail alternative to the likes of Holland & Barrett.

The concept combined all elements of a healthy lifestyle into one space in a unique and fun way. To the right of the store you had supplements and vitamins combined with natural remedies with the left hand side focussed on healthy food and drink.

The display of all areas was bang-on the money: All information and education was right at eye-level making it easy to engage with, whilst the food was superb and mouth-wateringly presented.





The staff knew their stuff and in case the language was a barrier, there was an interactive terminal to assist you.

The store itself is bright and eye-catching and feels welcomingly unique. The bake-off produces a great smell that adds to the calming ambience.

Whilst everything around us seems to be being turned upside down, focus on living healthier lifestyles seems to be on the increase. Perfect timing then for Sunkost!