North American Auto Show | Evolving Consumer

January: The Month of Trade Shows

The holidays are over and it is time to get back to work! Whether you like it or not now ‘tis the season of trade shows and for KineticShift that means CES, SHOT Show, North American International Auto Show and SIA Snow Show, where we’ll be seeing all the products that will help you keep those resolutions this year.

Check back all month for our reports from these shows!

CES Official Website
NSSF SHOT Show Official Website
North American International Auto Show Official Website
SIA Snow Show Official Website

NAIAS: Smart Shows its Ebike

At the North American International Auto Show, also referred to as the Detroit Auto Show, Daimler’s smart ebike concept bike was on display. We wrote about the bike last fall when electric car manufacturer smart planned to display it at the 2010 Paris Auto Show. We thought it was worth showing again now that we got to take a look at it, and find out more details.

It’s a striking bike. The simple modified triangle design looks futuristic. While it looks light, it weighs in at approximately 50 lbs. With a full charge, the bike has about a 50 mile range though that varies on how much you use the electricity versus pedaling. There’s four modes of electric assist that seem to kick in as needed rather than controlled by the rider. At 50 lbs. I can see wanting the assist more often than on any of my current bikes, especially when faced with a hill. You recharge the battery slightly when you brake, so you can squeeze a few more miles to a ride if you’re strategic. Continue reading NAIAS: Smart Shows its Ebike

Fitness Journal: Wearing the BodyMedia Fit

Trade shows, especially for journalists, are a time for getting work done. Meeting exhibitors and seeing product. It’s easy to lose sight of your fitness routines. As the Consumer Electronics Show approached and the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG) approached me to wear an activity meter and compete for the journalist who takes the most steps, I was intrigued. There are a few shows including CES and the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) where I know I log a lot of steps because I’m running (sometimes literally) back and forth between several spread out halls to get to appointments and to see the show. I’ve always been curious just how many steps I’ve taken and calories I’ve burned at these shows. Now I had the perfect tool to give me the answer. Not only that, but immediately after CES I was headed to the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, and was curious to see how that show compared in steps and energy output. Continue reading Fitness Journal: Wearing the BodyMedia Fit

Kinetic Shift Goes to the Auto Show

One trade show is in the rear view mirror – a fitting statement as we’ll be reporting this week from the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Last week was about gadgets, gear and small devices from the Consumer Electronics Show, and this week we turn our attention to auto technology with a fitness angle.

North American International Auto Show