On June 5, Above hosted the afternoon event "Impossible BBQ” on how to approach the seemingly impossible challenge of developing sustainable future-proofed products and services.
The human effect and footprint on our world crave smart and validated solutions to enforce change. Is it even possible to make products and services that are good instead of just less bad? As great conversation starters and inspiration, Above invited some exclusive speakers to share their view and solutions for how to tackle the sustainability challenges. To keep the energy level at its best during the discussions, Above's own BBQ team served delicious vegetarian burgers and cold beverages from the local Stockholm Brewing Co.
Superior Energy storage using Salt - Is SaltX Technology the Holy Grail for the climate threat?
Eric Jacobson, Growth Manager of SaltX Technology
Eric Jacobson in discussion with Kristina Ahlinder from Blueair.
A highlight of the afternoon was the announcement that SaltX LABS and Above have initiated a partnership regarding innovations around SaltX business area SaltX LABS. SaltX LABS is an open innovation platform and accelerator within the energy storage sector. Above will be the preferred product development, strategy, tech and design partner.
The Swedish innovation company has developed and patented a groundbreaking technology with which energy can be stored in salt, and subsequently recovered in the form of heat or cold.
Read more at SaltX Technology.
When sustainability is the main driver in the business model
Albert Payero, CEO & Cofounder of Urban Oasis
Albert Payero with a display of their products at ICA Supermarket Liljeholmen.
The Indoor Farming Market has an estimated worth of $10 billion by 2025. Urban Oasis is leading the way towards a more sustainable food system through their 'farm as a service' model as well as their 40,000 SQM+ indoor space of mushroom farming, super greens hydroponic space and micro greens cabinets selection in the mountains of Liljeholmen.
Indoor farming cabinets.
Above has designed the first cabinet and we will keep on following the Urban Oasis journey with great interest.
Is it possible to create products and services that are good instead of just less bad?
Above's own Fanny Carlsson (Service Designer) and Johanna Tunlid (Sustainability Manager) shared our point of view on sustainability along with some inspirational examples and the case study of our close collaboration with Skånetrafiken and Scania.
“We want to extend the concept of waste, from traditionally being centered around physical materials and things - to also include time, money and data.”
Johanna Tunlid and Fanny Carlsson presenting.
Above strongly believes in crafting product and service systems with an added value instead of adding more steps and more time in the life of their users.
“We see a trend in the business where clients seek help turning their heavy reports of insights, strategies and CSR documentation into tangible evidence. Tangible evidence in the shape of products, services, scripts that the internal organisation can gather around.”
Bike-sharing fail in China. Image source: Reuters.
Sharing economy is great when it works, but there is a risk of focusing too much on the transaction instead of the change or transformation you want to achieve. To a consumer, the ‘’sharing’’ stops with the access to a product, as thereafter, the expectations for a personalised and superior user experience begins.
Above's sweet spot.
By combining our capabilities and network we put things, data and the relevant people on the same page. That is our sweet spot. Sustainability comes in from the beginning when the strategy is formulated, and with Above's tools and principles it guides the development to a tangible output creating value for a user or customer.
The Travel Experience - How does one design the future of regional buses?
During spring 2018, in collaboration with Skånetrafiken and Scania, Above was looking at how to create great travel experiences for Skånetrafiken's customers.
Workshop-in-progress with Skånetrafiken.
“The best part of working with Above has been the openness throughout the project and the ability to see the challenge of different perspectives and needs. Starting with the interviews in the beginning and then showing solutions through colour and design in sketches and concepts. It seems obvious and simple when you have the ideas in front of you, but really it’s not.”
Read the full story on Aboves collaboration with Skånetrafiken and Scania.
We are Above, a Scandinavian Innovation Agency that creates beautiful, smart, valuable products and services that improve life. Today, and tomorrow.
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