Philips 2008 Annual Report Download - page 25

SimplicityLabs – a virtual lab for
people-focused innovation
In August 2008, Philips Research presented its new
online research environment – SimplicityLabs. This
virtual environment allows people worldwide to
experiment with new software-based product
concepts in the comfort of their own homes. An
extension of Philips’ consumer-focused research,
SimplicityLabs enables Philips Research to harness
end-user feedback at a very early stage in the
innovation process and validate new concepts in
a way that is fast, efficient and cost-effective.
“ What’s new about SimplicityLabs is that
people can join in the experiments at any
time, from anywhere. We expect this will
boost take-up rates and provide faster
and richer consumer feedback in the early
phases of product concept development.”
This feedback is both explicit (people fill in a
questionnaire about the concept) and implicit
(the system records how people actually interact
with the mock-up or prototype). “Once we’ve
gathered and interpreted this data, we can make
all the improvements necessary to turn the online
product concept into a real, consumer-focused
product that, we expect, people will love,” says Fred
Boekhorst, Senior
Vice-President Philips Research
and Program Manager Lifestyle.
The next step in ‛experience’ research
Like Philips Research’s ExperienceLab, SimplicityLabs
places the consumer at the very heart of the
innovation process. “In the longer term, we expect
SimplicityLabs will make a significant contribution to
steering our innovation process and to ensuring that
products in our portfolio are based on existing,
wide-ranging consumer needs,” says Boekhorst.
One million and counting
Our conscious decision to make people’s needs
the starting point for everything we do is clearly
resonating with consumers, as evidenced by the fact
that – supported by our Healthy living initiative –
we sold our one millionth whole-fruit juicer in 2008.
With this product, we took a fundamental insight –
that parents the world over want their children to get
all the nutritional goodness they need – and applied
our development and design competence to produce
an innovative solution that fulfilled this universal aspiration.
Fantastically healthy
There is nothing more delicious and healthy than
freshly squeezed juice – it is one of the staples of a
healthy breakfast and a great way to enjoy the delicious
taste of fruit and vegetables. Drinking juice also cleanses,
flushes, alkalizes and revitalizes the body. But juicing
can often be messy and ineffective – and rather than
an ideal way to get your recommended daily allowance
of vital vitamins and minerals, it can become a hassle
and a chore.
The Philips Juicer changes this forever. With its
powerful motor, this innovative appliance can instantly
turn any fruit or vegetable – chopped or whole –
into juice, with no pips or unwanted pulp.
#1
power toothbrush
recommended by
dental professionals
– Philips Sonicare
Philips Annual Report 2008 25
122
Performance statements
114
Supervisory Board report
110
Our leadership
94
Risk management
70
Our sector performance