Consumer & Retail Industry News & Analysis

U.K. to Consider Wet Wipe Ban

Amid mounting concern for plastic pollution levels, the U.K. is considering an eventual ban on wet wipes containing plastic — the kind used for personal hygiene and those used to clean surfaces.

Paper Suggests That with Advances in 3D Printing Come Unexpected Threats

Advancing industries such as the aerospace industry with jet engine parts or the medical industry with prosthetic limbs, additive manufacturing — better known as 3D printing — is making more and more things possible.

Amazon Wants to Scan Customer Bodies for a Better Fit, Fewer Returns

The biggest drawback to online shopping as anyone will tell you is not being able to actually try on the clothes to gauge how they fit and feel. Retail juggernaut Amazon is hoping to remedy that problem, thereby limiting the amount of clothing that goes returned every year, with the help of a body scanner.

New Study Suggests U.S. Users Still Loyal to Facebook

Despite a few scandalous, headline-making months, Facebook’s popularity among U.S. users is almost unchanged with reports indicating that loyalty to the brand has not waned.

Norway's Fjords to Become Zero Emission Zones

In eight years’ time, Norway’s fjords are expected to become zero emission zones — a move that would likely impact the cruise ships and ferries bringing tourists to one of Europe’s most popular destinations.

Tic Tac Toe Playing Robot Helps Patients in Rehab Regain Everyday Movements

A new robot from researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) plays tic tac toe with people who are trying to improve real-life tasks performance after surgery.

Using Sweat to Help Investigate Crime Scenes

Considering that our skin is covered in sweat glands (on average, 650 sweat glands per square inch of skin), it’s safe to say that we leave a trail of our sweat wherever we go and on whatever we touch. As such, researchers from the University at Albany believe that this “data” can be used to help with crime scene investigations.

Study Participants Warm to the Idea of Robot Counselors

Researchers from the University of Plymouth have determined that social robots could potentially be used to “counsel” humans.

Former VW Exec Charged with Conspiracy and Wire Fraud in Emissions Scandal

If convicted, the former CEO faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy charge, and up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine on the wire fraud charges.

Philadelphia to Launch City-owned Mussel Hatchery to Improve Water Quality

In an effort to improve water quality in the Delaware River Basin, officials in Philadelphia have announced plans to restore dwindling mussel populations by launching a city-owned mussel hatchery.

Ancient Solar Stills Get an Upgrade with Carbon Paper for Clean Water Production

Black, carbon-dipped, triangular paper is used to absorb and vaporize water at incredible rates in solar stills.

China Trialing AI Body Scanners at Some of its Airports

Airports in China will soon be outfitted with artificial intelligence (AI)-powered body scanners capable of detecting nearly 90 different banned items in under a second.

Amid Data Use Controversy, Cambridge Analytica Shuts Down

Steeped in a data-use controversy that will likely shape how personal data is used and gathered in the future, political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica announced that it will be closing its doors.

Hawaii Approves Bill Banning Over-the-Counter Sunscreens That Threaten Coral Reefs

If signed, the ban will go into effect on January 1, 2021.

Facebook to Dip Its Toe into the Dating Pool

Following months and months of bad news, Facebook is offering its over 200 million users who identify as “single” on their Facebook profiles some good news: it's launching a dating service.

Some Companies in China Monitor Workers' Emotions with AI

Worker safety is often a concern for employers, particularly for those in high-stress professions such as construction and transportation, for instance. One solution that helps to keep workers safe and subsequently helps to keep costs related to accidents and mishaps down is being employed by a number of companies in China.

Singapore Airport Uses Facial Recognition to Locate Missing Passengers

For travelers flying into and out of Singapore’s Cahngi Airport, there is no need to worry about getting lost in the endless sea of terminals and subsequently missing or delaying a flight thanks to facial recognition software being tested at that facility.

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