IKEA's attempt at an inflatable couch failed spectacularly, leaving many to wonder why. The hosts dive into the design challenges, production woes, and customers' mixed reactions. They also compare this quirky concept with a niche composting couch, weighing sustainability against practicality. Plus, there's a look at Amazon's ambitious drone trials and the rise of robotics at Shake Shack. Join in for a blend of innovative ideas and the lessons learned from these unique furniture endeavors!
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Quick takeaways
IKEA's inflatable couch, despite innovative intentions, failed due to practical issues like floating away and manufacturing challenges.
The podcast highlights the importance of assessing market viability, as even creative concepts may struggle to translate into successful products.
Deep dives
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IKEA's Inflatable Couch Attempt
In the mid-1990s, IKEA attempted to innovate with an inflatable couch designed to provide both convenience and sustainability. Despite a promising concept that would have significantly reduced raw material usage and transportation volume, the inflatable couch faced several critical production challenges. The lightweight design led to issues such as the couch floating away and being prone to static electricity and leaks, resulting in a less-than-ideal user experience. Consequently, after its launch in 1997, the inflatable couch was deemed a failure, and IKEA ultimately dissolved the project by 1999.
Innovation and Failures at IKEA
IKEA's efforts in the 2000s included introducing inflatable animal-shaped cushions for children, which also failed due to high manufacturing costs. The company is known for its inclination toward innovation, yet not every idea is successful, as illustrated by this and other product failures. Ultimately, while the inflatable couch showed potential for niche markets like music festivals, its practicalities proved daunting, much like IKEA's earlier attempt at a composting couch that needed extensive maintenance. These examples highlight the challenges faced in translating creative concepts into viable market products.
IKEA tried to sell an inflatable couch twice and it didn’t work out either time. The furniture company has had a long history of success, but for some reason, this fill-your-own addition to their offerings deflated pretty quickly. So why did they make it and what were its biggest problems? Plus: Amazon is deep in drone trials and Shake Shack gets robotic.
Join our hosts Jon Weigell and Juliet Bennett, as they take you through our most interesting stories of the day.
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