A pop-up lab that used gaze tracking and 3,000+ interactions to predict the next wave of consumer tech.
Built as a hands-on innovation space for eBay, filled with emerging tech.
Problem
Position eBay as a genuine technology innovator and thought leader by letting people experience emerging tech, not just read about it.
Idea
eBay Innovation Lab, an interactive space where people tried drones, robots, 3D printers, holograms, VR and more, while custom headsets tracked how they behaved so their visits could be turned into real data about future trends.
How it worked
• Invited visitors into a pop-up Innovation Lab packed with drones, robots, 3D printers, holograms, VR and other emerging tech
• Fitted each person with a custom headset and used gaze tracking, video heat maps, beacons and NFC-triggered questionnaires to capture how they engaged with each product
• Generated a personal “innovation typology” report for every visitor based on their behaviour, while aggregating the data to see which technologies people were most drawn to
• Partnered with futurist Chris Riddell to analyse more than 3,000 interactions (averaging 23 minutes each) and publish predictions for the next big tech trends
Results
• Reinforced eBay’s positioning as a retail and technology innovator
• Created a unique data set of real-world engagement with emerging technologies
• Generated national PR coverage around the Innovation Lab and its tech trend predictions