Issue No.004
TL;DR // This edition is all about AI in urban planning and reading, smart notes taking, a 'waste as resource' marketplace and flexible solar panels.
Hej, this is Sustainovation Tidbits.
As people remember from my previous newsletter Timo's Trend Thursday, this format is known for sharing bite-sized trend insights that pack a punch without going into epic detail. With over 950 trends and innovations featured across 190 episodes of Timo's Trend Thursday it’s time to kick off something new. But somehow similar.
For those who are passionate about the convergence of design, tech, innovation, and sustainability, Sustainovation Tidbits is your go-to destination for a weekly dose of inspiration and insight.
01. Infrared city
Infrared uses AI models to generate environmental simulations for cities to derive wind conditions, sunshine hours, and solar radiation.
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What’s differentiating?
Urban planning simulations using AI can lead to savings of up to 40% in lighting costs or thermal efficiencies can be better calculated, which means that up to 50% less cooling is required. In addition, natural wind can be used for ventilation, which not only reduces costs by 30% but can also improve air quality.
Infrared city
02. Rebind
Rebind is a platform to charge timeless book classics with technology by embedding small films or inviting the reader to get deeper insights in dialogue with the Rebind AI.
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What’s differentiating?
Rebind not only adds AI to a classic use case but also enables the reader to interact much more with the topic or the book. It also enables access for people regardless of their educational system and language level.
03. Globechain
Globechain is the largest circular marketplace for used goods to turn waste back into a resource.
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What’s differentiating?
The circular economy will be one of the driving approaches for a more sustainable future. In essence, it will be about significantly extending the lifespan of a product cyclically. The construction industry makes a significant contribution to this with around 30% of the total waste generated. In the Netherlands, for example, 63% of CO2 could be saved through circular bridges. In general, circular and 'waste as resource' approaches could save up to 45% CO2 in the construction industry. In addition, completely new business models, including digital ones, are emerging here because the business model is moving away from the producer to the service provider.
04. Active Surfaces
Active Surface develops flexible solar modules to better integrate them into a built environment to reduce labor costs, production costs, and weight.
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What’s differentiating?
In addition to bureaucratic hurdles and the market dominance of Chinese manufacturers, a major problem with photovoltaic systems is that 70% of the installation costs fall on the solar module, making solar increasingly expensive. In addition, traditional systems are unusable for many urban applications and thus reduce the radius of effectiveness. However, portable applications on vehicles, building facades, roofs with complex structures, outdoor furniture or tents are also conceivable in the future.
05. Voicenotes
Voicenotes is your voice-controlled notebook to record ideas, thoughts, and takeaways and interact with AI afterward.
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What’s differentiating?
According to a survey by Evernote, 25% regularly lose or forget their notes. Of which almost 50% are due to disorganized systems. And it takes us over 2.5 hours to find something again in these disorganized systems. Voicenotes not only solves the problem but also provides a companion with which I can instantly discuss my thoughts and moments. In addition, quickly finding such notes can reduce stress levels by 20% and thus make a relevant contribution to well-being.
Loved what you read in our fourth issue? If the first issue resonated with you I’d be more than happy if you could spread the word. In the meantime stay curious, and differentiating. See you next week.
cheers, Timo
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