iLab.o

Did you think that innovative ICT products and services are tested in a (corporate) laboratory today? Well, that’s not the case! Successful products and services get to be tested in real-life circumstances before they are absorbed in a business model and rolled out to the target audience. Such a testing environment is also called a living lab.

 

What's a living lab?

"In a living lab, a large number of users gets to interact with new products and services in their daily – professional and private – life."

In a living lab, a large number of users interact with new products and services in their daily – professional and private – life. This allows for researchers to assemble user feedback and to systematically observe, monitor and analyze user behavior in a natural environment.

ilabo living lab

This way the innovation process is pulled out of the corporate lab context. A real-life setting is essential to find out whether a good idea or concept could form the basis of a successful product or service in the future.

"This heavy user involvement distinguishes a living lab from traditional market and user research."

This heavy user involvement distinguishes a living lab from traditional market and user research. It’s important to ensure that these kinds of living lab activities are based on a scientific research methodology while leaving room to innovate and develop further.

Within IBBT, iLab.o designs, coaches and supports living lab projects.


Linked:

LeYLab
LeYLab is a living lab in Kortrijk (Belgium) where test users try out new services using high-speed internet over fiber (Fiber To The Home). iLab.o provides the selection, recruitment and coaching of the test users.

 

Flellap
Vlaams Proeftuinplatform offers companies the opportunity to test new applications with an test audience across Flanders (Belgium). iLab.o provides the selection, recruitment and coaching of the test users.

 

Mediatuin
Mediatuin is a research-oriented media lab that creates, develops and tests new innovative media formats with users. iLab.o provides the selection, recruitment and coaching of the test users.

 

Concord
In 2011 the European Commission launched 10 public-private partnerships which will shape the internet of the future. Concord provides the collaboration between these projects and iLab.o the advice based on its expertise in living labs.