A bottle is something that we all take for granted, yet Heineken leads the way to turn it into a creative item; introducing new bottle shapes, materials (PET and Aluminium) and printing techniques (UV ink etc).
We would like to introduce Heineken’s first smart beer bottle that can interact with other Ignite bottles, its environment and the people around it, bringing together: interaction, data and networking thinking. It enriches social experiences using the bottle and technology in a surprising way and making high tech feel fun, organic and seamless.
Heineken’s first interactive bottle uses micro sensors and wireless networking technology to sense the moment when a bottle is being used to say “Cheers”. The bottle can also actively respond to the music and the output of specific audio and data cues. For example, it can detect various motion types such as cheering, drinking and sitting idle on the bar top. The motions trigger certain light effects lighting up the complete bottle, enhanced by the swirls of beer, carbon dioxide and oxygen. Next to that the bottle lights can be remotely activated, so that each bottle becomes an active light source controlled by specially developed VJ software, allowing to synchronize all bottles to the music beat.
The housing under the bottle gives room to a custom designed circuit board based around the open source Arduino hard- and software platform. It features 8 bright LEDs, an efficient 8-bit microprocessor, an accelerometer to detect various motion types and a wireless network transceiver to communicate with the outside world. The 3D printed housing (designed and developed by C10) is built up of two parts, allowing to re-use the unit on multiple bottles of beer.
Heineken and Innovation
Heineken has a passion for progressive design and innovation. We continuously ask ourselves how design, technology and innovation can play a role in creating new memorable brand experiences that will also spark social connections and conversations.
The interactive beer bottle is an example of Heineken’s commitment to using pioneering technology and design to create inventive new ways to experience the product and the brand. A limited number of 200 bottles are launched for the first time at the Milan Design Fair, Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2013.
Earlier in the week, from its buzzing pop-up ‘Magazzini’ at Milan Design Week, Heineken invited designers from around the world to collaborate on building the ultimate concept lounge bar. This is the second edition of its Heineken Open Design Explorations (ODE) innovation project. To be part of the 2013/14 Heineken Open Design Explorations team, designers have until May 31 to apply on www.heineken.tumblr.com, whilst people can share their lounge bar experiences by uploading instagram pictures of lounge bar experiences using the hashtag #futureloungedesign. The best will be featured on the Tumblr.