We’re living in an increasingly sensorized world
Airbnb’s decision to buy Lapka, a Russian gadget manufacturer with a certain hipster image that makes sensors that can be plugged into the audio port of an iPhone has surprised many. Few details are available, but this is yet another sign of the growing importance of the so-called internet of things, or IoT.
The last time I heard about Lapka was in relation to Google’s Ara modular smartphones project, just under a year ago: the idea was to build in sensors to the design in such as way that the device could be used to monitor heat and humidity. At that time, the company was making electromagnetic sensors that could gauge temperature, radioactivity, and even detect certain chemicals such as nitrates, making it possible to check whether a vegetable has been grown organically. The collection of attractively designed sensors, made in soft wood and white plastic, cost around €220, later dropping to €120, and gave the impression of being, in a certain sense, a product waiting for its market, but that had the potential to become very popular. This video gives some idea:
The company has since produced a minimalist breathalyzer, but that has failed to attract much interest. Airbnb’s acquisition of the company will now oblige it to think about things differently: the announcement makes it clear it will not continue with its present product line. In short, this appears to be a classic acqui-hire, with Airbnb buying Lapka’s team.
The idea would seem to be to come up with products that will improve the Airbnb experience, such as sensors that will detect when a guest arrives, intelligent locks that overcome the problem of where to leave keys, along myriad other applications.
For Lapka’s design team, the acquisition suddenly provides opportunities to put its devices into more than 1.2 billion properties around the world: owners who buy the company’s sensors and other devices will be given a different rating on Airbnb. In a market in which location and price are the main factors, the possibility of standing out on the basis of offering guests a better experience by providing them with Lapka’s IoT products could be interesting.
The internet of things is evermore tangible: as sensors come down in price, are more attractive and easy to use, the number of applications increases, while designers like Nest come up with cleverer and cleverer ideas and the likes of Google and Amazon are working on devices like OnHub and Echo.
In short, whether at home or when traveling, we are going to be seeing and using more and more of these kinds of sensors and devices. As with the myriad apps available, the learning curve involved is near inexistent. Good news for Lapka, and an interesting way for Airbnb to set itself apart from the competition.
(En español, aquí)
