Self-Driving bus by MUJI and Sensible 4
Finland – Muji’s Gacha will be the first autonomous vehicle in the world capable of functioning in extreme weather conditions.
Currently, self-driving vehicles cannot operate in weather such as heavy rain, fog and snow, as many prototypes are being tested in warm climates such as California. However, Finnish autonomous driving company Sensible 4 is testing the technology in Arctic conditions to ensure the bus operates safely in environments that are often lacking in transportation.
The bus will hold a maximum of 16 passengers, and incorporates Muji’s minimalist design, which has previously been limited to homeware, fashion and accessories products. Gacha will make its public debut in Helsinki in March 2019, before launching in three Finnish cities by 2020.
While self-driving cars must iron out kinks in how they deal with traffic and parking in cities, extreme weather is another obstacle brands must overcome in order to bring these vehicles to market in colder climates.
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US – In addition to the closing all of its stores on Black Friday, the outdoor retailer will fund a study that aims to show the link between nature and health.
For the fourth year in a row, REI will take a Righteous Retail approach to Black Friday by refusing to operate during the retail event. To back up its #OptOutside campaign, which encourages its employees and customers to spend more time with nature, the retailer is partnering with the University of Washington and investing $1m (£760,000, €870,000) to fund an inititative called Nature for Health.
A new center for academic excellence within the university will study how time spent outdoors affects our health, including whether nature could be prescribed for those suffering from anxiety and depression.
By working to close the knowledge gap, REI is showing how brands can move beyond media campaigns to take real stands on societal issues.
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#OptOutside by REI, Canada
