Umbrellas can do more than just keep you dry
Every time it rains I am reminded of one of my best friends, João Gustavo Santos (rest in peace). Come lunch time he always asked, ”Can someone lend me an umbrella?” It turned out that he was unable to keep one for more than a couple rainy days. The reason? The umbrella would get wet, he would set it aside and forget where he left it. Today João wouldn’t lose his umbrellas; he could have a smart, connected one. The umbrella could have a beacon (Bluetooth LE) sensor that could react once the distance between it and its owner (or its owner’s smartphone) was more than 10 meters. These sensors are precise, small and have a battery life of 2-3 years (no need for an internet connection). It´s a cheap solution that adds value by providing an additional, broader service that's not really related to the product itself: intelligent anticipation that preserves product ownership and investment, even a small one. How much would your customer pay for this added value? How relevant would i