Straight to the Moon, Adidas

Straight to the Moon, Adidas

December 8, 2019
David Little, Ph.D.

Adidas is partnering with the International Space Station to perform product testing in a microgravity environment to improve soccer ball and shoe design. Sustainability is also being studied to account for reuse of every gram of material.

Adidas hopes to learn how to improve sustainable manufacturing as a result of this partnership.

Video Spotlight:

This post is based on the CNN article, Adidas is partnering with the International Space Station to test products in space, by Allen Kim, November 5, 2019, and the YouTube videos in the Video Spotlight. Image source: NASA.

Discussion Questions:

1. Jeff Bezos has a vision of manufacturing on the Moon, given the possibilities noted in the article.  How does Adidas’ research with the ISS position the company for future growth via a Moon-based manufacturing facility?

Guidance: Adidas clothing and footwear could be supplied to the Bezos Moon facility.  In addition, all of the private firms with space manufacturing ambitions could be supplied with Adidas gear.  This question is aimed at getting students to recognize that space manufacturing could be a Continue reading →

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Knock Knock, It’s Walmart

Knock Knock, It’s Walmart

December 2, 2019
David Little, Ph.D.

Walmart launched inHome Delivery as a new service recently. The retailer has also partnered with a company called Level Home. That company’s Level Lock product, available through WalMart, allows entry to a home without having to install additional hardware to a door.  The Level Lock is attached to your current door lock and can be installed in ten minutes with a screwdriver.

For Walmart’s inHome Delivery, employees deliver groceries to your pantry and refrigerator while wearing cameras, using a one-time access code provided by Level Home for added security.

Video Spotlight:

This post is based on the CNN article, This smart lock lets Walmart deliver groceries inside your home – – no key needed, by Parija Kavilanz, November 13, 2019, and the YouTube videos linked in the Video Spotlight. Image source: Shutterstock/Alexander Kirch

Discussion Questions:

1. How important was it for Level Home to partner with Walmart? What are the major product development benefits of this partnership?

Guidance: Students should recognize that Walmart’s funding and interest in this technology will provide Level Home with resources to Continue reading →

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Taste-Testing Dog Food Recipes

Taste-Testing Dog Food Recipes

December 1, 2019
David Little, Ph.D.

The Farmer’s Dog is a start-up that began after its founders discovered pet food companies sell products deemed unfit for humans.

The company treats dog food equivalent to the way human food is tested, including product testing new recipes on humans first.  The goal is to create healthy pet food.

Video Spotlight:

Videos to use in comparing raw food vs. traditional dog food production:

This post is based on the CBS News article, The Farmer’s Dog tests its pet food recipes on humans, by Megan Cerullo, November 11, 2019, and the YouTube videos linked in the Video Spotlight. Image source: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Discussion Questions:

1. What would you expect to happen to the sales price for the Farmer’s Dog products compared to the pet food market?

Guidance: Students should recognize that using higher quality products will result in higher variable costs.  This will require the sales price to rise if the company wants Continue reading →

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