{"id":3493,"date":"2017-02-07T10:28:07","date_gmt":"2017-02-07T09:28:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/?p=3493"},"modified":"2017-02-07T10:28:07","modified_gmt":"2017-02-07T09:28:07","slug":"knowledge-for-innovation-parallel-worlds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/open-organization.com\/en\/2017\/02\/07\/knowledge-for-innovation-parallel-worlds\/","title":{"rendered":"Knowledge for Innovation: Parallel Worlds"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243;][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.2.1&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">In the previous articles of this series, we wrote about <a href=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/2017\/01\/03\/knowledge-for-innovation-internal-knowledge-flow\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Internal Knowledge<\/span><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/2017\/01\/10\/knowledge-for-innovation-trends-and-environment-for-innovation-deployment-horizon\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Time Horizon<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/2017\/01\/17\/knowledge-for-innovation-frontier-sciences\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Frontier Sciences<\/span><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/2017\/01\/24\/knowledge-for-innovation-academic-knowledge\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Academic Knowledge<\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/2017\/01\/31\/knowledge-for-innovation-learning-and-experience\/\">Learning and Experience<\/a>.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Here we deal with <i>Parallel Worlds<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3462 alignleft\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/origin_of_knowledge-for-innovation-presans.jpg\" alt=\"origin_of_knowledge-for-innovation-presans\" width=\"346\" height=\"279\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/origin_of_knowledge-for-innovation-presans.jpg 793w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/origin_of_knowledge-for-innovation-presans-300x242.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/origin_of_knowledge-for-innovation-presans-768x619.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/origin_of_knowledge-for-innovation-presans-480x387.jpg 480w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/origin_of_knowledge-for-innovation-presans-560x451.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 346px) 100vw, 346px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Parallel worlds, shown in the figure as a box between learning and experience and the company\u2019s in-house knowledge, contain industrial knowledge far from the standard knowledge base of the company\u2019s own industry. The piece of knowledge may be unexpected and not present in the existing knowledge base of the company\u2019s industry but applicable to the company\u2019s situation. For example, a metal packaging company trying to conceive a fraud-resistant container for medicine will have a good chance of being inspired by exploring knowledge in the banknote and credit card printing industry. This is a magical instant when a concept is taken from a given industry and combined with the traditional elements of another industry to create value. It is called creative addition. Fruitful knowledge often comes from areas that are not necessarily connected to the original industry. We call these seemingly disconnected silos of knowledge parallel worlds. Next, we will provide two rich examples of sourcing of knowledge from parallel worlds.<\/p>\n<h3>Cross-Industry Propagation<\/h3>\n<p>Finding a good idea, a better material, a better process, or simply a new perspective from a different industry is a fertile route for innovation. Examples abound. We have provided two brief examples in the above inset, but we could have included additional examples, such as Fischer Sports GmbH limiting the vibration in skis by using an old technique for limiting the resonance in violins or Henry Ford drawing inspiration for his automobile assembly line from the belt system used for meat processing by large slaughterhouses in Chicago, Illinois.<\/p>\n<h4>Example of the Schindler rope<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/6_schindler_rope.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3496 alignleft\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/6_schindler_rope.jpg\" alt=\"6_schindler_rope\" width=\"164\" height=\"188\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/6_schindler_rope.jpg 408w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/6_schindler_rope-262x300.jpg 262w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 164px) 100vw, 164px\" \/><\/a>The Schindler Group is a leader in elevator manufacturing. In the 1990s, the company assigned a student to perform an exploratory survey for a better material than steel for lift cables. The student explored many fields and found that aramid ropes, developed decades earlier for rock climbing, performed far better than steel cables in terms of strength, flexibility, and longevity. The corresponding detailed knowledge was gradually acquired and reworked by Schindler. After a long qualification phase, aramid-rope-based elevators are now manufactured and marketed by the Schindler Group.<\/p>\n<h4>Example of video game players and BMW<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/7_bmw_gamers.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3497 alignright\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/7_bmw_gamers.jpg\" alt=\"7_bmw_gamers\" width=\"134\" height=\"138\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/7_bmw_gamers.jpg 1177w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/7_bmw_gamers-290x300.jpg 290w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/7_bmw_gamers-990x1024.jpg 990w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/7_bmw_gamers-768x795.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/7_bmw_gamers-1080x1118.jpg 1080w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/7_bmw_gamers-980x1014.jpg 980w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/7_bmw_gamers-480x497.jpg 480w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/7_bmw_gamers-560x580.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 134px) 100vw, 134px\" \/><\/a>BMW was searching for new human machine interfaces (HMIs) for adapting cars to modern numerical services such as GPS and hands-free telephone. The BMW project team members used their networks of contacts in Silicon Valley to explore and connect with the video-game community. Thanks to various collaborations with joystick designers, BMW developed its iDrive, a simple and intuitive switching system which drivers can use while keeping their eyes on the road.<\/p>\n<h3>Biomimetics<\/h3>\n<p>Another rich parallel world is Mother Nature. In countless cases creative thinking has been derived from the incredible performances of bacteria, plants, and animals through the ages of natural selection. In the above insets, we have given two recent examples, but there are many other familiar examples, such as honeycomb structures used in many applications, bullet train noses being inspired by kingfisher birds, and robot actuators being influenced by elephant trunks.<\/p>\n<h4>Example of the Nanopass needle<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/8_nanopass_needle.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3501 alignleft\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/8_nanopass_needle.jpeg\" alt=\"8_nanopass_needle\" width=\"120\" height=\"130\" \/><\/a>Researchers in Japan decided to study a type of mosquito that stings people without hurting them (at least, at the biting phase). They were seeking a novel design for an injection needle that would cause less pain for patients. As a result of this research, they designed the Nanopass 33, a sharp, thin, conical needle which was released in 2005. Millions of these needles have been sold.<\/p>\n<h4>Example of the Geckskin<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/9_geckskin.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3502 alignright\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/9_geckskin.jpg\" alt=\"9_geckskin\" width=\"238\" height=\"158\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/9_geckskin.jpg 640w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/9_geckskin-300x199.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/9_geckskin-480x319.jpg 480w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/9_geckskin-560x372.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 238px) 100vw, 238px\" \/><\/a>Humans are fascinated by the geckoes\u2019 capability of walking on a ceiling. Geckoes can do this because of the temporary adhesion of their feet, this adhesion being termed van der Waals force. For decades nanotechnologists have tried to mimic the hairlike structure of the skin on the sole of a gecko\u2019s foot. Recently, a group led by Professor Al Crosbyat the University of Massachusetts, Amherst designed a textile-like pad, Geckskin, which indeed has a remarkable adhesion without wetting the contact surface. The invention is now pushing its way through applications.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.fr\/Innovation-Intelligence-Commoditization-Digitalization-Acceleration\/dp\/1326125826\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2612 alignright\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/innovation-intelligence-amazon.png\" alt=\"innovation-intelligence-amazon\" width=\"203\" height=\"169\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">***<\/p>\n<p><em>This article was initially\u00a0published in the book <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.fr\/Innovation-Intelligence-Commoditization-Digitalization-Acceleration\/dp\/1326125826\">Innovation Intelligence<\/a>\u00a0(2015). It is in the second\u00a0section of the third\u00a0chapter.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_cta _builder_version=&#8221;3.2.1&#8243; title=&#8221;Expertise you need. Fellows you can trust&#8221; button_text=&#8221;GIVE IT A TRY&#8221; button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/presans.com\/sofia\/conciergerie\/ask&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; background_image=&#8221;\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/conciergerie.jpg&#8221; body_font=&#8221;|800|||||||&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;17&#8243; button_bg_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;%%40%%&#8221; header_font=&#8221;|700||on|||||&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;25&#8243; button_text_color=&#8221;#182954&#8243; button_font=&#8221;|800||on|||||&#8221; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; global_module=&#8221;6637&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>The Conciergerie platform sets up your call appointment with a Presans-vetted international expert within few days<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"et_pb_row et_pb_row_0 et_pb_row_empty\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> In the previous articles of this series, we wrote about Internal Knowledge, Time Horizon,\u00a0Frontier Sciences, Academic Knowledge and Learning and Experience.\u00a0 Here we deal with Parallel Worlds. Parallel worlds, shown in the figure as a box between learning and experience and the company\u2019s in-house knowledge, contain industrial knowledge far from the standard knowledge base [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3510,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">In the previous articles of this series, we wrote about <a href=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/2017\/01\/03\/knowledge-for-innovation-internal-knowledge-flow\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Internal Knowledge<\/span><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/2017\/01\/10\/knowledge-for-innovation-trends-and-environment-for-innovation-deployment-horizon\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Time Horizon<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/2017\/01\/17\/knowledge-for-innovation-frontier-sciences\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Frontier Sciences<\/span><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/2017\/01\/24\/knowledge-for-innovation-academic-knowledge\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Academic Knowledge<\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/2017\/01\/31\/knowledge-for-innovation-learning-and-experience\/\">Learning and Experience<\/a>.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Here we deal with <i>Parallel Worlds<\/i>.<\/span><\/p><p><img class=\" wp-image-3462 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/origin_of_knowledge-for-innovation-presans.jpg\" alt=\"origin_of_knowledge-for-innovation-presans\" width=\"346\" height=\"279\" \/><\/p><p>Parallel worlds, shown in the figure as a box between learning and experience and the company\u2019s in-house knowledge, contain industrial knowledge far from the standard knowledge base of the company\u2019s own industry. The piece of knowledge may be unexpected and not present in the existing knowledge base of the company\u2019s industry but applicable to the company\u2019s situation. For example, a metal packaging company trying to conceive a fraud-resistant container for medicine will have a good chance of being inspired by exploring knowledge in the banknote and credit card printing industry. This is a magical instant when a concept is taken from a given industry and combined with the traditional elements of another industry to create value. It is called creative addition. Fruitful knowledge often comes from areas that are not necessarily connected to the original industry. We call these seemingly disconnected silos of knowledge parallel worlds. Next, we will provide two rich examples of sourcing of knowledge from parallel worlds.<\/p><h3>Cross-Industry Propagation<\/h3><p>Finding a good idea, a better material, a better process, or simply a new perspective from a different industry is a fertile route for innovation. Examples abound. We have provided two brief examples in the above inset, but we could have included additional examples, such as Fischer Sports GmbH limiting the vibration in skis by using an old technique for limiting the resonance in violins or Henry Ford drawing inspiration for his automobile assembly line from the belt system used for meat processing by large slaughterhouses in Chicago, Illinois.<\/p><h4>Example of the Schindler rope<\/h4><p><a href=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/6_schindler_rope.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3496 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/6_schindler_rope.jpg\" alt=\"6_schindler_rope\" width=\"164\" height=\"188\" \/><\/a>The Schindler Group is a leader in elevator manufacturing. In the 1990s, the company assigned a student to perform an exploratory survey for a better material than steel for lift cables. The student explored many fields and found that aramid ropes, developed decades earlier for rock climbing, performed far better than steel cables in terms of strength, flexibility, and longevity. The corresponding detailed knowledge was gradually acquired and reworked by Schindler. After a long qualification phase, aramid-rope-based elevators are now manufactured and marketed by the Schindler Group.<\/p><h4>Example of video game players and BMW<\/h4><p><a href=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/7_bmw_gamers.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3497 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/7_bmw_gamers.jpg\" alt=\"7_bmw_gamers\" width=\"134\" height=\"138\" \/><\/a>BMW was searching for new human machine interfaces (HMIs) for adapting cars to modern numerical services such as GPS and hands-free telephone. The BMW project team members used their networks of contacts in Silicon Valley to explore and connect with the video-game community. Thanks to various collaborations with joystick designers, BMW developed its iDrive, a simple and intuitive switching system which drivers can use while keeping their eyes on the road.<\/p><h3>Biomimetics<\/h3><p>Another rich parallel world is Mother Nature. In countless cases creative thinking has been derived from the incredible performances of bacteria, plants, and animals through the ages of natural selection. In the above insets, we have given two recent examples, but there are many other familiar examples, such as honeycomb structures used in many applications, bullet train noses being inspired by kingfisher birds, and robot actuators being influenced by elephant trunks.<\/p><h4>Example of the Nanopass needle<\/h4><p><a href=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/8_nanopass_needle.jpeg\"><img class=\" wp-image-3501 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/8_nanopass_needle.jpeg\" alt=\"8_nanopass_needle\" width=\"120\" height=\"130\" \/><\/a>Researchers in Japan decided to study a type of mosquito that stings people without hurting them (at least, at the biting phase). They were seeking a novel design for an injection needle that would cause less pain for patients. As a result of this research, they designed the Nanopass 33, a sharp, thin, conical needle which was released in 2005. Millions of these needles have been sold.<\/p><h4>Example of the Geckskin<\/h4><p><a href=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/9_geckskin.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-3502 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/9_geckskin.jpg\" alt=\"9_geckskin\" width=\"238\" height=\"158\" \/><\/a>Humans are fascinated by the geckoes\u2019 capability of walking on a ceiling. Geckoes can do this because of the temporary adhesion of their feet, this adhesion being termed van der Waals force. For decades nanotechnologists have tried to mimic the hairlike structure of the skin on the sole of a gecko\u2019s foot. Recently, a group led by Professor Al Crosbyat the University of Massachusetts, Amherst designed a textile-like pad, Geckskin, which indeed has a remarkable adhesion without wetting the contact surface. The invention is now pushing its way through applications.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.fr\/Innovation-Intelligence-Commoditization-Digitalization-Acceleration\/dp\/1326125826\"><img class=\"wp-image-2612 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/open-organization.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/innovation-intelligence-amazon.png\" alt=\"innovation-intelligence-amazon\" width=\"203\" height=\"169\" \/><\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\">***<\/p><p><em>This article was initially\u00a0published in the book <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.fr\/Innovation-Intelligence-Commoditization-Digitalization-Acceleration\/dp\/1326125826\">Innovation Intelligence<\/a>\u00a0(2015). It is in the second\u00a0section of the third\u00a0chapter.<\/em><\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[186,200,374,861,870,981,1254,1487],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/open-organization.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3493"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/open-organization.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/open-organization.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/open-organization.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/open-organization.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3493"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/open-organization.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3493\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/open-organization.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/open-organization.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3493"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/open-organization.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3493"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/open-organization.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3493"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}