Dropped phones are one of the most common reasons people lose that extra $100 they have been saving for something else, but Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos and VP Greg Hart are designing the first ever smartphone airbag to cushion this cost.
The device uses small sensors to detect the phone's position and motions. Upon sensing that the device is in danger of falling, it deploys small airbags that are embedded within the phone itself to cushion and absorb some of the shock. As of this moment, it's unsure whether gas or springs will be one of the items used to soften the blow of the hardwood floors. Regardless of choice, this mechanism will definitely save thousands of dollars annually for customers who constantly need to replace their gadgets.
What's Driving This Trend
- Smartphone Airbags
- The development and implementation of smartphone airbags present an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the mobile phone industry by reducing the cost and inconvenience of phone damage caused by drops.
- Embedded Sensors
- The use of small sensors in smartphones to detect position and motions opens up opportunities for disruptive innovation in various industries, such as healthcare and sports, by enabling advanced tracking and data collection capabilities.
- Protective Device Technologies
- The integration of protective technologies, like airbags or shock-absorbing materials, into different products and industries has the potential for disruptive innovation, providing enhanced safety and cost savings.
Who This Affects Most
- Mobile Phone
- The development of smartphone airbags has the potential to disrupt the mobile phone industry by offering customers a solution to reduce the need for frequent device replacements due to accidental drops.
- Healthcare
- The application of embedded sensors in various medical devices can lead to disruptive innovation in the healthcare industry, enabling real-time monitoring and improved patient outcomes.
- Sports Equipment
- The integration of embedded sensors in sports equipment creates opportunities for disruptive innovation, allowing for advanced performance tracking and analysis to enhance athletes' training and performance.
