Carsten Eriksen, the CEO of the Danish innovation agency Swift Creatives, has extensive experience in the field of design innovation. He has helped bring products to market for renowned tech giants like LG and Samsung. In this interview, Carsten shares his insights on the latest tech innovations, emerging trends, and his dream projects.
What’s been one of your favourite tech innovations in the last year?
No doubt, Apple’s Vision Pro stands out as a game-changer. It’s ushering us into the realm of spatial computing, although not everyone’s jumping on board just yet, mainly due to the price tag. But hey, the groundwork has been laid for the future.
As designers, I’m fixated on the potential experiences where CGI seamlessly merges with the real world. Apple’s given us a platform, the first stride into the future, and the possibilities are endless. Sure, right now we envision Vision Pro as an at-home gadget rather than a street accessory. Remember when flashing a mobile phone or headset in public drew stares? Perception shifted, and the same will happen for AI goggles.
The see-through tech in Vision Pro is just the start. Ultimately, we all want sleek glasses with the tech seamlessly integrated. But until then, Vision Pro impresses as a step forward, introducing us to the wonders of spatial computing.
What is one trend you foresee will change up the tech world in the next year?
AI is about to infiltrate every corner of our lives, no kidding! It’s not just about smart gadgets anymore; AI is gearing up to make us all superhumans. Imagine having your own personal Jarvis, like Iron Man, but in real life.
And get this – it’s not just about the digital realm anymore. AI is stepping out into the physical world too. Picture this: self-driving cars becoming the norm, making rush hour a thing of the past. Or check out OpenAI’s latest AGI Robot; it’s not just another sci-fi fantasy, it’s here, and it’s shaking things up.
The pace of AI development is mind-blowing. What seemed like science fiction yesterday is our reality today.
But here’s the thing, this is actually really scary and intimidating for a lot of people: as designers, our challenge is to make this tech relatable and user-friendly. We’ve got to turn those scary robots and complex algorithms into something people can actually connect with and use in their everyday lives. It’s all about making tech intuitive, less intimidating, and seamlessly integrated into our daily routines.
What is a dream brand you would like to work with, and why?
Pinpointing one dream brand is tough. Ten years back, Apple would’ve been a no-brainer. They were all about cool, unexpected gadgets. But nowadays, it feels like they’re stuck in a cycle of small tweaks and optimizations.
Innovation is neither linear nor simple, but you have to walk the path less traveled. It doesn’t matter if the client is a start-up or a grown-up brand, as long as they’re willing to dream, play, and think out of the box. It takes a serious case of brass balls to tap into that potential and work the path less traveled, but the reward is worth it.
If you could change one thing in the industry, what would it be?
In our industry, the development process can be lengthy and costly. Sometimes, I find myself dreaming of changing that.
Take Tons.bike, for example. They’ve revolutionized the game with their 3D-printed bike accessories, slashing tooling costs and reducing development time from idea to product launch to just a few weeks. They’re able to test products on the market and refine them based on real-world feedback.
Sure, it’s not yet feasible for large-scale production, but I’m confident we’ll see more of this rapid innovation in the future.
And finally, if you could invent any piece of technology, what would it be?
You know, there are countless products and experiences I’d love to dive into, but if I had to pick just one? Picture this: a gadget or goggle that gives us superpowers.
Imagine super sight high-res cameras, letting you zoom in on things invisible to the naked eye. Or Imagine super hearing powered by AI, fine-tuning your auditory experience. In a bustling crowd or amidst chaos, this tech not only cancels out noise but also highlights specific sounds or conversations from afar, making every word crystal clear, even translating languages on the fly.
And let’s not forget about super brain power, powered by AI, making you sharp as a tack and able to tackle complex challenges in a snap.
The convergence of tech and brands 