trendwatching.com’s UPGRADIA

UPGRADIAThe digital culture of constant upgrade and iteration comes to the world of physical objects

trendwatching.com FEBRUARY 2014 TREnd BRiEFing

www.trendwatching.com/trends/upgradia


This is jusT a summary. read The FuLL Trend brieFing (For Free!) www.trendwatching.com/trends/upgradia

UPGRADIAwww.trendwatching.com/trends/upgradia 2


http://trendwatching.com/trends/upgradia/

uPgradia deFiniTion: Driven by consumers’ thirst for quicker, more seamless access to the new (in ways that are cheaper, more sustainable and more participatory) and facilitated by emerging technologies, the constant stream of upgrades and iterations typical of the digital ecosystem is coming to the world of physical objects.



1. inFiniTe neWism

2. more For Less

3. haCKer ChiC

An ‘upgrade’ mindset meets new technologies

Less money, less guilt

The status and excitement of DIY upgrades

DRIVING THIS TREND:



inFiniTe neWismAn ‘upgrade’ mindset meets new technologies

1

In the digital space, endless consumer desire for

the new is served by a never-ending stream of

updates. Now, this digitally-inspired expectation of

perpetual update and improvement is shifting into

the physical world.



Every Object Connected

Relentless Product Evolution

The emerging Internet of Things is both

fueling the expectation shift outlined

above, and facilitating the arrival of

‘digital’-style constant iteration in the

realm of physical objects.

New, more democratic manufacturing

technologies and distribution platforms

– such as 3D printing and crowdfunding

– are also facilitating the constant

upgrade and evolution of products.

1. inFiniTe neWism



in 2009, there were 2.5 billion connected devices, most of these were personal devices such as cell phones and PCs. in 2020, there will be up to 30 billion connected devices, most of which will be products.- Gartner, October 2013



3 million funders pledged USd 480 million on crowdfunding site Kickstarter in 2013.- Kickstarter, January 2014



more For LessLess money, less guilt

2

Upgrades serve two deep consumer desires:

the desire for great value, and that for a more

responsible, sustainable form of consumerism.



More For Less Money More For Less Guilt

2. more For Less

The thrill of getting a whole ‘new’ product for

a fraction of the cost is helping to drive the

UPGRADIA trend. And unlike access-based

consumption models, UPGRADIA promises

the joy of endless ‘new’ products and the

autonomy of outright ownership.

Many consumers feel guilt over the impacts

of their consumption on the planet, society

and self. UPGRADIA innovations deliver the

new while incurring fewer of the negative

impacts associated with the ‘discard/buy new’

consumption model.



haCKer ChiCThe status and excitement of diY upgrades

3

Of course, only a minority of consumers want to

open, improve, reshape and/or hack products. But

the online space and 3D printing will make it easy

for these makers to push their upgrades to peers

who just want easy, seamless solutions.



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eXamPLes: Every Object UpgradedThe impulse towards UPGRADIA can be applied

to any object, to make it more efficient, add entirely

new functionality, improve design, and more.



Copenhagen Wheel Wheel turns any pedal bike into hybrid ebike

Every Object Upgraded



The Floyd Leg Add-on turns any flat surface into table




Pour mason Add-on turns Mason jar into coffee maker




renault Kangoo Camper: TravelPack Modular kitchen unit converts vehicle into camper van




eXamPLes: Every Object ConnectedWhile any object can get the UPGRADIA treatment,

right now turning ‘dumb’ objects – think TVs, cars

and more – smart is the key UPGRADIA innovation.



samsung: evolution Kit Add-on hardware upgrades smart TV




google Chromecast Dongle turns ordinary TV into a smart TV




sony: braVia smart stick Dongle integrates TV with Google Chrome web browser




automatic Dongle and app provide driving metrics




Fuse App connects drivers to data from their car




LoCK8Smart bike lock enables location tracking




digitalsTrom Smartphone-enabled blocks turn any appliance smart




auris skye Device adds AirPlay or wifi connection to older music docks




eXamPLes: Connected Objects UpgradedAlready connected objects can get the UPGRADIA

treatment, too. Think bolt-ons that add an entirely new

dimension to the device.



structure sensor Clip-on sensor turns iOS device into 3D scanner

Connected Objects Upgraded



LumuPlug-in turns smartphone into digital light meter




michron Device enables time-lapse photography




shaka Weather station Device converts smartphone into weather station




eXamPLes: Open UPGRADIAAnother powerful form of UPGRADIA: open products

that allow consumers to devise and implement their

own upgrades/improvements/iterations.



Phonebloks Open source, modular smartphone

Open UPGRADIA



bleepbleepsOpen source digital devices for parents

Open UPGRADIA



neo900 Open source, upgradeable phone

Open UPGRADIA



Kano Open source coding kit for children

Open UPGRADIA



neXTWhat changes in a world where consumers expect

almost any object to be upgradeable?

• The meaning of ‘new’ shifts. Not an endless stream

of new physical objects; instead new functionality/

capabilities.

• No more planned obsolescence. Instead, smart

brands will plan, build and sell for constant iteration.

• The true emergence of every product as a (constantly

evolving) service.

• A world of new information for consumers to track,

share and then act on.



This is jusT a summary. read The FuLL Trend brieFing(For Free!) www.trendwatching.com/trends/upgradia




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trendwatching.com’s UPGRADIA