Frances Marcellin

iMetaWear launches haptics shirt for VR and the metaverse

The ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute) in Taiwan has developed a haptics shirt for immersive VR and metaverse fitness experiences It is called iMetaWear, and each shirt comes with ten haptic points and four sets of electrodes According to ITRI, the electrodes are screen printed into somatosensory garments, so do not need adhesive electrodes Roger Cheng, ITRI's VP told HCM that the iMetaWear shirt offers an 'unparalleled level of immersion' The Industrial Technology Research...

Bhout AI boxing bag offers gamified, connected boxing

Bhout is in pre-sales for its AI-driven boxing bag, which it calls a 'boxing bag with a brain'. The product started life at Bhout Boxing Club, founder Mauro Frota's gym in Lisbon.

Product Innovation

Every month I select the best new products for gym operators

Brain upgrade app launches to reduce Alzheimer's risk

The Food for the Brain foundation has released a new app, Cognition, which it claims can help people cut their risk of Alzheimer's by half. The app is the result of a decade of research by the UK-based brain health charity, which has seen 380,000 users take their free online Cognitive Function Test.

Rebecca Passmore was promoted to MD of Pure Gym the day she started maternity leave

Rebecca Passmore was promoted to MD of Pure Gym in September 2020 - the same day she went on maternity leave. This is one of several insights revealed in HCM's deep dive into gender equality in the fitness industry that indicate the sector is making incremental steps forward, despite it being acknowledged that barriers to women in the workplace are widespread.

World Health Organization lays out five priorities for governments in getting people active, Dr...

Dr Fiona Bull, head of the physical activity unit at the World Health Organization (WHO), has stated that "demonstrating impact is key" for the physical activity sector when it comes to delivering on its potential to society. "Without it, we're just asking governments for handouts," she said.

Third Space creates first Hyrox training programme

Chris Stanton, master trainer at Third Space, has revealed a new training programme designed to prepare members to compete in Hyrox events. The move follows growing interest from members in taking on the Hyrox challenge.

Sweat sensor gives personalised hydration data in real-time

Athletes will be able to transform their hydration with Nix's new Hydration Biosensor sweat patch. Having just launched on to the consumer market, the product was named as an Innovation Award Honoree at CES 2023 in the Digital Health category and also made Time's Best Inventions of 2022 list.

This AI product for gyms will change the way PT is delivered, says Pure Gym founder, Peter Roberts

Fit Tech news: Another Round, the startup behind the AI-driven personal training app of the same name, has developed a new B2B solution that it claims can enable personal trainers to work with more than 50 clients over a 14-hour week.

Gamified VR fitness scheme launches to improve employee health

Digital health company Sharecare has launched Get Active, a VR fitness programme to improve workers' health and fitness levels An eight-week pilot tracking 250 Lennar Corporation employees showed an average increase of 118 minutes of physical activity in VR fitness per week Members receive a Meta Quest 2 VR headset,

You can now experience Bluetooth-connected VR treadmill running with Octonic's 2.0 release

Octonic has released the 2.0 iteration of its VR treadmill running experience, which is compatible with 99 per cent of treadmills and now provides Bluetooth connectivity with over 400 treadmill models. The previous version had a non-connected mode, where runners adjusted treadmill speed manually on a passthrough viewbox and while that option still exists, many can also now connect with their treadmill from VR through Bluetooth.

WHO report shows increasing activity levels could save Europe €14bn in health costs by 2050

Almost half of the population of the EU don't exercise or play sport and the impact of this on healthcare services is costing billions, according to a new report. Step up! Tackling the burden of insufficient physical activity in Europe , from the World Health Organization (WHO) and OECD - with support from the EU - links this lack of physical activity to health decline and economic impact.

Musculoskeletal health hub pilot expands to 100 sites as MSK cost to UK hits £5bn a year

The second phase of the UK's MSK (musculoskeletal) health hub pilot will see the service rolled out to an additional 85 swimming pools and leisure centres this month.

Physically active teenage girls do better academically, according to new research

A study from the University of Illinois has found that when teenage girls (age 15-18) take part in more moderate and vigorous physical activity each day they have better attentional control - which can, in turn, positively impact academic outcomes.

Equal access to sport in schools ends centuries of sex discrimination

The UK government has declared that boys and girls should have equal access to sports in schools, and is asking schools to dedicate at least two hours of curriculum time to PE per week. A £600m package will also be channeled into improving PE and sports in primary schools.

Lumen expands metabolic health platform and preventative healthcare mission

Fit Tech news: Lumen, a health tech company that analyses people's metabolism based on the CO2 and oxygen in their breath, has raised US$62m in Series B funding. The round was led by Pitango Venture Capital, with participating investors including, Hanwha Group, Resolute Ventures, RiverPark Ventures, Unorthodox Ventures, Almeda Capital and Disruptive VC.

Peloton execs sued for US$500m insider trading while hiding Tread+ safety risks to children

One of Peloton's investors, Krikor Arslanian, is suing Peloton leaders, including former CEO John Foley, for insider trading. The lawsuit claims they "sold approximately US$494,687,939 worth of their stock collectively" while hiding Tread+ safety issues that caused injury to more than 30 children and one death.

Cambridge researchers' AI model shows VO2 max lab-level results are achievable with wearables

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have proved that with the right algorithm, wearables can provide lab-standard VO2 max results The study used data from 11,000 participants from another project, The Fenland Study Using an AI model that could predict VO2 max, the results showed a 'high degree of accuracy'

Longevity club and digital platform launches with focus on reverse ageing. Neil King and Alister...

Neil King and Alister Rollins have co-founded digital platform and in-person club Longevity With the science of longevity at its heart, it will aim to reduce members' biological age and 'provide members with the tools to age younger' First club opens in Milton Keynes on 1 February with the second

Fitbit is developing a tiny blood pressure monitor for its smart watch

Google-owned Fitbit has has filed a patent application with the US Patent and Trademark Office for a blood pressure sensor that will be in-built into its smart watches. The application was made by Shelten Yuen, Fitbit's VP of research who joined Fitbit in 2007 with a background in surgical robotics.

Gen Z are 20% more likely to use employee wellness packages

A new report, State of Work-Life Wellness, has been released by corporate wellbeing platform Gympass Data was gathered from over 9,000 employees in nine territories: UK, US, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Italy, Spain and Germany 89 per cent of Gen Zers are prepared to quit the company they work for it if isn't focused on wellbeing Report suggests that work-life balance is in fact a "mythical utopia" and recommends a move towards a more unified "work-life wellness" approach Corporate...

Whoop pushes deeper into corporate wellbeing | spabusiness.com news

Connected performance wearable company Whoop has launched Whoop Unite for businesses. Whoop has built up its business-to-business operation since undertaking a Series F funding round of US$200m last August - when the tech unicorn was valued at US$3.6bn - and now has 200 corporate customers, including Hitachi Vantara, the UK's NHS and the US National Forest Service.

Strava integrates with injury-prevention app

Fit Tech news: Strava, a leading social platform for athletes, has acquired Recover Athletics, a startup providing evidence-based prehab workouts to runners. The move gives Strava subscribers access to Recover Athletics' app, which includes personalised injury prevention plans and exercises.

UN picks Go Fit's public-private model as example of best practice

Go Fit has been selected by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) as an example of best practice for public-private partnership collaboration (PPP).

Louis Rennocks, Co-founder, Grndhouse | HCM people

I interviewed Louis Rennocks, co-founder of GRNDHOUSE, to find out more about the strength-training startup and its goals for the future.

Hyatt is piloting private gyms that can be rented by the hour

Hyatt is piloting private gyms in five of its US hotels as part of its Stay Fit Private Fitness programme. The exercise spaces are located in converted guest rooms and offer a collection of cardio and strength-training equipment.

Ness raises US$15m for health rewards app ahead of credit card launch delivering health insurance...

Ness, a US startup that is developing a range of wellness-driven credit cards, has launched its first product, the Ness Rewards app, with longer-term plans to deliver health insurance in the US via its credit cards.

Tillt gamifies running with financial rewards

Tillt, a new performance-based betting app, has launched in the US The app was developed and self-funded by Sam Mackie and Taber Gifford An Apple watch is required, but iPhone, Fitbit and Garmin integrations will follow Targets competitive high-performing athletes seeking high-stakes challengers Tillt, an athletic performance-based betting app - where runners get paid if they win - has been launched by co-founders Sam Mackie and Taber Gifford.

Urban Gym Group raises €16m to fuel European expansion

Multi-brand fitness chain Urban Gym Group (UGG) has raised €16m in capital. The funds will be used to drive company growth through acquisitions, branching out to new locations and territories, and expanding the management team. Currently, UGG's brands include TrainMore, Clubsportive, High Studios, BTY CLB and TRIB3 - for which it has a master franchise agreement for the Benelux region.

Fitness First pulls out of Hong Kong as COVID closures wreak havoc

Fitness First has closed down all its operations in Hong Kong. The pandemic's impact and the government's Zero COVID strategy proved too much for the global fitness brand, which has put its entire Hong Kong business into liquidation. Former Fitness First members are being offered the chance to migrate their membership across to clubs run by Pure Group.

Peloton jumps into strength training with AI-assisted Peloton Guide

Cardio giant Peloton has launched its first home strength-training product. Called Peloton Guide, the system is based on hardware with a body-tracking camera and remote control which provides the user with a connected workout experience through their TV. It also works hands-free through voice activation.

Run your heart out in Austria's Paznaun Valley

With free, family-friendly mountain parks and infinite trails, summer in Austria's Paznaun Valley offers a dream hiking and trail running race destination. For runners or hikers looking for a scenic race in Europe, or simply a family-friendly holiday with boundless, breath-taking trails, Austria's Paznaun Valley delivers for all fitness levels and ages.

Echappée Belle: the Alpine ogre of the ultras!

Previous participants say it’s tougher than the UTMB...

The wearable that knows if your cough is serious

arlier today (February 3), Cancer Research revealed that, if nothing changes, the number of people suffering with cancer will increase by a third in the UK by 2040. Serious illnesses can go undetected until it's an emergency, because people don't recognise the signs of when something is serious.

Why virtual reality fitness is the ideal escapism for Londoners

'm suspended on a spaceship in a star-clustered galaxy with Earth to my left and a satellite to my right. In a flash, the pumping sound of the PowerBeats app cranks into gear - and so does the action. A blitz of glowing planets is propelled towards me that I will have to punch, smash, or uppercut out of the way.

The wearable fitness gizmo that recharges itself as you unwind

or smartwatch owners, one of the most frustrating aspects is remembering to charge the device every few days. French start-up Baracoda thinks it has solved this problem by launching the BHeart, a fitness tracker that is powered by motion, body heat, and light.

Join a legend in the Algarve this summer

Keith Anderson is a running legend. He was once British Fell Running champion and represented England in the 1998 Commonwealth Games marathon in Kuala Lumpur. Now a running coach he holds a training camp twice a year in Portugal - and, as an avid trail runner, Frances Marcellin joined the group to improve her running technique.

From Zero Miles to an Ultra Marathon

After Frances Marcellin was diagnosed with chronic urticaria, she discovered trail running and swapped pain, angst and fatigue for confidence, self-esteem and optimism. In 2019 she ran 1,000km and now she's training for her first ultra marathon.

Lessons in Love

A few years after moving to France my ex-husband left me, but a few months after he walked out the door, I met my soulmate

Meet your mountain utopia in Verbier

At 16 weeks pregnant I travelled to Verbier to explore their trails, check out their newly-signposted routes and discover ancient glaciers at rocky summits.

Living with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria

Being diagnosed with chronic urticaria marked the beginning of a long quest to return to health for Frances Marcellin, 44

Pampered to Perfection on Prima

The cruises you'll come back from feeling healthier - not heavier

A new wave of cruises with a focus on body, mind and soul mean you will come back feeling more nourished than ever.

10 of the best wellness cruises for 2022

My pick for The Telegraph on ten of the best cruise lines and itineraries that will offer travellers an enhanced wellness experience this year.

French Fancy

Viking Cruises' christening of 8 longships in Paris, plus a mini-cruise to Normandy and back

The clever technology that will power the post-Covid cruise comeback

Imagine you are on your first cruise since the coronavirus lockdown. At the terminal you order a token through your smartphone - part of a staggered check-in - which tells you when to return. Before embarking, a thermal camera assesses your temperature - a green light means you can cruise.

1,000 Dream Trips: Explore the coast of the British Isles

You might be surprised at what you discover on a British Isles tour, and there is no better way to pick and mix its historic, mythic and beauteous richness than on a cruise.

Age of the digital nomad: The plan to abandon cities in favour of freelance freedom - Factor

Can you imagine a future where the desire for mobility and human connection is so strong that people reject traditional city lifestyles to work from technology-focused intentional communities? We find out whether digital urban nomadism could become a mass movement. The rise of what has been labelled 'mass digital nomadism' and the emergence of the ...

The African Dream

As the glowing sun casts its amber cloak over Table Mountain I'm watching with awe from the edge of Viking Sun's infinity pool.

The cruise ship chef with a passion for running up mountains

If you happen to catch sight of a cheerful but focused Frenchman in a white jacket running up and down the stairs when you're cruising with Viking, don't be surprised. As well as overseeing Viking's five-star food service on the river and ocean fleets, culinary director Anthony Mauboussin is passionate about long-distance mountain running.

The cruise ships with the best Wi-Fi

(CNN) - What happened on cruise ships used to stay on cruise ships -- at least until the boat reached the next port. One of the remaining Internet-free places on the planet, passengers could spend days wallowing in isolation unless they spent serious cash on a telegram or ship-to-shore call.

How Cirque du Soleil is adapting circus for the high seas

When Cirque du Soleil launched sea-based productions, its gravity-defying acts had to adapt to a moving stage, particularly in rough weather.

Cirque du Soleil takes to the high seas for the first time aboard MSC's lavish new cruise ship

As Cirque du Soleil’s 50-strong acrobatic insect showstopper Ovo - an extravaganza about a day in the life of a curious community of insects - leaves thousands buzzing each night at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Cirque du Soleil at Sea is thrilling audiences in a surreal, slightly more intimate show on board MSC Meraviglia.

Going back to the Eighties with a music festival cruise

Suspended from the ceiling in front of me was a deflated giant Rubik's cube and a bright yellow Pac-Man. These aren't usual decorations on a cruise ship but I was at the mandatory muster drill in Studio B, the ice-skating rink on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas, while the crew gradually transformed it into 80s-themed night spot Club Tropicana.

Tech Savvy on Board

Navigating your way around a ship is easier than you think, says Frances Marcellin

11 new tech features that are transforming cruise ships - including geo-locators for your kids

As someone who is used to writing about technology, often covering transport and travel, I have become fascinated by the booming cruise industry. Technology is transforming these floating hotels into smart cities.

How to get your thrills at sea this summer

Keeping the kids happy on board goes a long way towards making a stress-free holiday for the whole family. Cruise companies know this very well and the bigger lines are forever dreaming up new and exhilarating experiences that will thrill the big kids too.

'How cruising brought me back after Simon Cowell dropped me'

"Tonight, Cat, I'm going to be Jerry Lee Lewis!" a 14-year-old Duke Christopher told Cat Deeley on Stars in Their Eyes in 2003. Emerging through the dry-ice in a blue satin jacket and with wavy slicked-back hair, he performed Great Balls of Fire on his feet while hammering out the song's famous piano chords, just like the first bad boy of Rock 'n' Roll.

Cruise ship review: MSC Seaview

The identical sister ship of MSC Seaside is innovatively designed with generous outdoor spaces, so passengers can make the most of the hot Mediterranean climate in summer and the balmy warmth of South America in winter. Seaview's fusion of sharp design, glitzy décor and technology gives her a look that embodies innovation, elegance and fun.

How did the first mother in space become godmother to a cruise ship?

What's the most surreal experience you have ever had? Curiously, for Anna Fisher - one of NASA's first six female astronauts and famously the first mother to go into space - becoming godmother to the cruise ship Viking Orion sails away with the title. Fisher is not what you may expect from a legendary, space-travelling trailblazer.

Going a cut above and Beyond - Ship Technology Global | Issue 82 | June 2022

Celebrity Cruises' new ship, Celebrity Beyond, has a strong health and wellbeing focus, with a host of spas and fitness offerings. Frances Marcellin gives a roundup of the launch of the vessel. When I sit down with Brian Abel onboard Celebrity Beyond, I marvel at the level of design and attention to detail that covers every inch of the 237m/1,073-ft ship.

A new way out: How Royal Caribbean uses recruitment escape rooms

When Ben Bouldin, Vice President EMEA at Royal Caribbean Cruises, took part in a physical escape room challenge with his team they experienced sides of each other they had never seen before - and ultimately became stronger for it.

Celebrity Cruise looks beyond design and wellness - Future Cruise | Issue 17 | August 2021

After a 16-month shutdown of the cruise industry due to the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 50% of US consumers expect to spend more and treat themselves at the end of it, according to a McKinsey survey, and those consumers who enjoy cruising have an extra budget for luxury cruises after the pandemic.

OceanMedallion aces contactless cruising - Future Cruise | Issue 17 | August 2021

Before the pandemic, the MedallionClass experience was only available on six of Princess Cruises' ships and some of its leading features were in its earliest form. However, during the shutdown it was deployed across the entire fleet.

Scarlet Lady: on board Virgin Voyages' inaugural ship - Future Cruise | Issue 13 | August 2020

Before lockdown, Frances Marcellin travelled to Liverpool, UK to visit Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady. What does the future hold for this breathtaking cruise ship, and will it need to change its onboard procedures to best welcome passengers in a post-Covid world?

Living at sea: Permanent apartments on a wellness cruise line - Future Cruise | Issue 10 |...

Blue World Voyages is making waves in the industry as it plans to sell 40 residences onboard its inaugural luxury ship, starting at $2.3m. Frances Marcellin finds out why the idea of hyper-expensive floating apartments appeals and speak to founder Fredy Dellis, about some of the complexities behind getting such an ambitious project off the ground.

Bottoms up: the robot bartender serving up drinks on MSC Cruises

Travel giant MSC Cruises have just welcomed their newest member of staff on their latest ship, MSC Virtuosa. Luca Pronzati, the Chief Business Innovation Officer at MSC Cruises, is delighted to announce the opening of the new Starship Club, and to ensure that Rob the bartender robot was ready to start tirelessly serving passengers, before the ship starts her inaugural season in the UK.

Muster 2.0: a new kind of safety drill - Future Cruise | Issue 14 | November 2020

When looking at the new Muster 2.0 drill process in the context of Royal Caribbean's digital transformation, it is a natural development for a company striving to reduce passenger friction on board.

A tour de force of Viking Orion's maiden voyage - Future Cruise | Issue 5 | September 2018

With the launch of Viking Cruises' fifth ocean ship, Frances Marcellin sailed on Viking Orion's maiden voyage and spoke to the Viking team, as well as the ship's godmother and retired astronaut Anna Fisher, to find out more about how the company is achieving success.

Meet the new Royal baby: Symphony of the Seas - Future Cruise | Issue 4 | June 2018

Royal Caribbean's newest ship is also the largest in the world. By developing a new app and focusing on a data-centric approach, the company is edging closer towards its goal of providing a 'frictionless' experience, as Frances Marcellin finds out.

Ocean Medallion: Out with the old and in with the new - Future Cruise | Issue 11 | February 2020

Frances Marcellin sailed around the British Isles with Princess Cruises to try out Carnival's Ocean Medallion - a wearable accessory that tracks passengers and offers personalised services - for the first time. Here, she recounts her experience.

Powering cruise ships with dead fish - Future Cruise | Issue 7 | February 2019

Dead fish and other organic waste will soon be used to power Hurtigruten's fleet of green cruise ships in a world-first effort to increase its sustainability efforts. Frances Marcellin talks to the company about its plans and the opportunities and challenges of expanding its horizons to the unchartered waters of biogas.

MSC Seaside cruises into the American market - Future Cruise | Issue 3 | March 2018

On 29 November 2017, MSC Seaside sailed for the first time from Fincantieri's shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, to Trieste. Frances Marcellin was on board, ahead of its 22-night maiden voyage to Miami, to find out more about Seaside's unique design, the tech and how it fits into the company's vision for expansion.

Ponant cruises: a new era of trips to France and Island post-Covid-19

Ponant Cruises has been given the go-ahead by the French Government to restart cruises in France again from 11 July 2020. The Covid-19 confinement period in France lasted from 17 March to the 11 May, and by 15 June all departments became "green zones", meaning the government believed the virus was under control across the country.

The accidental space gatekeeper who can send Londoners into orbit

New door-to-door pharmacy delivery app promises to make life less painful

ondoners have a whole new way to receive thousands of medical products delivered directly to their homes or offices almost immediately. New service says it can deliver your choice of healthcare items or medicines from your local pharmacy in just 45 minutes.

As the Great Resignation continues, meet the entrepreneur battling to keep women in tech

Gender balance in tech is lower now than it was in 1984 ( 35% vs 32%) and despite there being more tech roles for women and a greater awareness of gender equality, women only represent 17% of leaders.

A self-balancing exoskeleton lets wheelchair users walk again

A self-balancing exoskeleton is being tested in France that enables people with complete lower body paralysis to walk. Many exoskeletons require the wearer to use crutches at the same time, but this one maintains its own balance to help mimic a person's natural gait. The exoskeleton, called Atalante, is made by Paris-based company Wandercraft.

Why are there so few women in French tech? The causes and the cures | ZDNet

In the 2015 Global Startup Ecosystem Ranking, Paris ranks ahead of Tel Aviv as the sixth city in the world with the most female entrepreneurs. But a closer look at the French figures reveals that just 21 percent of entrepreneurs are women.

​With Brexit lurking, are French startups benefiting as US bets on France? | ZDNet

French startups are increasingly expanding into the US, while US companies are more frequently diversifying operations into France. Recent examples include IBM, IPsoft, and Cambridge Blockchain. Back Market's launch into North America early in 2018 was followed by the refurbished electronics marketplace raising $48m shortly afterwards.

How this cloud BI CEO is working hard to stand out from the analytics crowd | ZDNet

Rachel Delacour, CEO at French cloud business-intelligence startup BIME, took home a silver Female Entrepreneur of the Year statue from the recent Stevie Awards. With the news of Zendesk's acquisition of BIME in October for $45m through the takeover of parent company We Are Cloud, Delacour is emerging as one of France's leading female tech entrepreneurs.

Can this new BlaBlaLines carpool app make your daily commute easier and cheaper? | ZDNet

The idea to create car-sharing phenomenon BlaBlaCar came to founder Frédéric Mazzella during the 2003 Christmas holidays. He was trying to get home to his family in France. But without a car and with trains at capacity, he had to ask his sister to drive him.

'There's a culture that works against women': Changing the face of tech startups | ZDNet

In December 2017, 31-year-old Chiara Condi was awarded the coveted Femme d'Influence Economie Espoir prize. It's recognition of Condi's dedication to helping women affected by violence become entrepreneurs. Condi's work is carried out through Led By Her, the Paris-based, non-profit organization she founded in 2014, which is run with the help of more than 200 volunteers.

Safe to buy refurbished devices? Why this startup thinks it's better than buying new | ZDNet

The first words consumers read on visiting Back Market's US website are: 'Adopt refurbished products, only by certified professionals'. By asking consumers to adopt, rather than buy, Back Market is trying to change the language and landscape of the refurbished device market: how hardware is sold, why refurbished devices should be chosen over new ones, and how consumers should feel about their buying decision.

Aardman hitches a ride on the theme park boom

Animation studio Aardman this month released its first film in 4D - which synchronises effects such as rain, wind and vibration with action seen on the screen. The Bear & the Squirrel is a collaboration with Efteling in the Netherlands. One of the world's top 20 theme parks, Efteling is renowned for its "magical" dark rides and family atmosphere.

Creating a Tech Community to Aid Refugees in Crisis

As the needs of refugees worldwide become more complex, a growing collection of techonlogy groups are working to serve them as people not problems.

Doctolib can see you now: Meet the e-health tool that's taken off in France | ZDNet

As Doctolib's visibility has increased over the past five years, its e-health tool has become a part of everyday life in France. Doctolib, now with a market valuation of over $1bn, is an app and web-based platform that lets patients book and manage appointments with doctors and medical specialists.

This telehealth cabin connects qualified doctors with patients all over the world | ZDNet

About a decade ago, French doctor Franck Baudino was providing primary medical care to isolated communities in small African villages, which sometimes took two or three days' travel to reach. Exhausted, and with demand for accurate healthcare consultations spiralling, he vowed to create a sustainable solution that could bring professional medical diagnoses to the global population.

How Twitter could save your life

Back in 2010 AMC set up co-ordinated "zombie attacks" in major cities around the world to promote its zombie thriller series The Walking Dead. Gaggles of blood-dripping "walkers" invaded trains and lurched around landmarks like Big Ben and The Prado Museum.

Glow-in-the-dark bacterial lights could illuminate shop windows

Bacteria may light up the future. Glowee, a start-up company based in Paris, France, is developing bioluminescent lights to illuminate shop fronts and street signs. After a successful demo in December, Glowee has launched its first product - a bacteria-powered light that glows for three days.

Radiant Resort

Frances Marcellin visits sunny St Cyprien, an Occitan beach resort where magic, mountains and modern urban design mix on the Mediterranean

Gex-set Go

Frances Marcellin discovers why a home in the Pays de Gex, near Geneva, could be a "Gexcellent" investment

Why this forgotten corner of Provence is becoming a hit with the British

Between the glitzy Riviera coastline and the wild Alpine foothills, the little-known canton of Fayence in Provence is where couture king Christian Dior felt he could truly get away from it all and rediscover himself. Back in 1950, hundreds of miles from his Parisian home, among olive groves and vineyards, Dior bought the Château de La Colle Noire in the medieval village of Montauroux.

Life on the Lagoon

On the Mediterranean coast to the west of Provence, an area known as the 'hidden Riviera' is becoming increasingly sought after, as Frances Marcellin explains.

Look west: buy a holiday home for half the price on the other French Riviera

You won't find the Cannes Film Festival or Club 55, but if owning a dreamy Mediterranean holiday home is your main desire, buying a property on the "other Riviera" can be half the price of the Côte d'Azur.

We Want Morzine

As Covid-19 started to rear its ugly head in February 2020, the director of Morzine Immobilier, Paul Watts, sat down with his team to see if they could stay afloat until Christmas without a sale,

Best places to bag a bargain beach bolthole on the French Mediterranean

Frances Marcellin finds low-budget beach resort property on France's Mediterranean coastline Finding somewhere in the south of France that is within walking distance of the sea, and which is also in good condition and rentable for €200,000 or less isn't easy, but it is possible.

The exclusive Italian favourite that's surprisingly great for children

This A-list retreat full of old-world charm offers so much more than palatial villas and speedboats - and it's ideal for a family holiday It is fitting the finale of Casino Royale was filmed at suave, sophisticated Lake Como: if James Bond were a place, this diamond of the Italian lakes would be he.

First Time Love

Boating newcomer Frances Marcellin takes the plunge with a family motorboat charter holiday on the Canal du Midi

My Carpe Diem Covid Camping Trip

Originally scheduled to review a Japanese cruise ship this summer, Frances Marcellin finds herself instead on a campsite with the kids in the south of France

Creature Crisis

The pandemic has allowed nature to thrive and we’ve all enjoyed the heartening tales of dolphins returning to waterways and turtles nesting on tourist beaches. But has it all been good news? asks Frances Marcellin

Cruise Control

Cruise lines with the most exciting activities and entertainment for kids.

How To Spend the Perfect Weekend in Toulouse

With its ancient history, eye-catching architecture and cool bars, the city of Toulouse guarantees 48 hours of fun-filled adventure. If you're visiting for a short break, here's how to soak up the unique atmosphere of the city. The blend of historic and hip in Toulouse gives the capital of France's Occitanie area a dynamic atmosphere that's unlike anywhere else in the country.

Ideas Box fuses design and technology to transform refugee life | ZDNet

In December, social welfare funder the Nominet Trust announced its annual list of 'tech for good' projects. Known as the NT100, the Nominet Trust chooses projects from all over the world that use technology's transformative power to tackle social problems and drive social change.

Talking TED: Ellen Agler on Eradicating Disease

When I catch Ellen Agler on the phone, she's in London for the United Kingdom launch of her new book Under the Big Tree: Extraordinary Stories from the Movement to End Neglected Tropical Diseases, which she cowrote with Mojie Crigler.

Nora Sándigo, the Great Mother

In 1979, when Nora Sándigo was 14, her world turned upside down. As the Nicaraguan Revolution ripped through the country and into her community, her father sent her to safety at her sister's home in Venezuela. She then applied for political asylum in the United States, along with thousands of other Nicaraguans, as tens of thousands died in the conflict back home.

Transforming Food and Water Insecurity with Tech

In an isolated section of desert outside Tindouf in western Algeria, on the borders of Morocco, Mauritania, and Algeria, the 173,000 refugees of the five Sahrawi camps have been facing a food crisis for 43 years.

Europe's refugee crisis: How one Wi-Fi network is offering a lifeline for Lesbos migrants | ZDNet

The first question asked by refugees arriving in Lesbos is: "What country am I in?" The second is usually: "Where can I get Wi-Fi?" That's been the experience of Evert Bopp, founder and CEO of Disaster Tech Lab (DTL), an Irish charity dedicated to deploying communication networks in disaster-hit areas.

NHS could soon use smart outfit to diagnose epilepsy

A shirt and cap that can diagnose epilepsy quickly and easily has been approved for use by European health services, including the UK's NHS. Epileptic seizures are the result of excessive electrical discharges in the brain.

Getting connected: how will airports benefit from 5G?

Over the next five years the airport journey as we know it could be transformed through the implementation of 5G. According to a study by Juniper Research there were already 5 million 5G subscribers worldwide in 2019. Connections are predicted to grow by 150% each year, reaching 1.5 billion globally by 2025.

Combatting wildlife trafficking through airports

Over the last few years, airports have significantly increased their focus on combating the illegal trafficking of wildlife, fuelled by widespread indifference and organised crime networks. According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation , wildlife trafficking generates between $7bn and $23bn each year, making it one of the largest illicit trade activities in the world.

The role of language in air accidents

On 25 January 1990, the Avianca flight from Bogota, Colombia, to JFK Airport in New York, was running out of fuel in the most appalling weather conditions. After being kept in a holding position by air traffic control (ATC) in New York, the plane's fuel tank was running dangerously low.

Airport sleeping rooms: helping passengers find some peace and quiet

The international business travel market is growing and evolving at such a rapid rate that travellers are starting to expect the possibility of reserving smart sleep spaces at airports before and after flights. The Global Business Travel Association Foundation estimates there were nearly 503 million business trips in 2016 in the United States, compared to 488 million in the previous year.

Going online: a saving grace for airport retail?

Airports Council International (ACI) estimates that around 50% of passenger traffic will be lost in 2020. As a direct relationship exists between passenger numbers and airport revenue, the ACI predicts that over the course of the year, the airport retail market will also drop by over half in some regions.

The hard sell: making a mark in airports - Airport Industry Review | Issue 46 | August 2019

Last year HSBC launched its "Together We Thrive" advertising campaign, which spanned five languages and 17 airports, including London Gatwick and Heathrow, Vancouver International, Los Angeles LAX, Sydney International, Hong Kong International and Paris Charles De Gaulle. Frances Marcellin finds out more about airports as advertising environments.

Airports tap into virtual reality for passenger entertainment - Airport Industry Review | Issue...

Inflight VR, which creates virtual reality-powered (VR) systems for the air industry, has partnered with ground-handling service provider Aviapartner to provide immersive VR content to air travellers at the company's passenger lounge at Rome's Fiumicino Airport. Although a nascent industry, according to Greenlight Insights, VR revenues will reach $7.17bn by the end of the year, rising to $75bn by 2021.

Cashing in on the new normal: how can an airport diversify revenue?

The Covid-19 pandemic has devastated airport revenues. Airport Council International's most recent economic report published in August this year shows a "58.4% reduction in passengers as compared to 2019" and a "60% reduction in revenues". This they say will reach "an unprecedented $104.5 billion reduction in revenue for 2020".

Cracking open the story of London's Oyster Card

The introduction of Oyster smartcards in London revolutionised the way that people pay for travel in the city. The system made moving across London easier and faster through pay-as-you-go passes which could automatically be topped up. They eliminated the need for cash and reduced the queues.

Is the air in underground subways harming our health?

In March 2013, new research from the University of Southampton was published in Environmental Science & Technology, which raised a question mark over how safe ultrafine dust is to workers and regular travellers on the London Underground.

How WiFi data is improving tube journeys

The London Underground welcomes more than one billion passengers each year and handles up to five million passenger journeys a day across its 500 trains. Back in 2012, as smartphone consumption was rising among passengers - from 26 million smartphone users in the UK in 2012 to an expected 53 million by 2022 - Transport for London (TfL) started installing WiFi in stations across the tube network.

Tackling rail fraud in the UK

Demand for rail has increased faster than other transport modes over two decades. According to a report from the UK Department for Transport, the number of journeys has increased by more than 50% over the last 20 years where other methods of transport, such as bus and automobile, have decreased over the same period of time.

Inside Masabi's cloud-based mobile ticketing revolution

Masabi's cloud-based JustRide product is driven by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It provides an end-to-end mobile ticketing and fare collection system to more than half the rail companies in the UK, and in Boston (the US's first system-wide deployment of mobile ticketing) and San Diego.

TopRail: promoting sustainable rail tourism

With 2017 officially declared as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations World Tourist Organisation (UNWTO), the International Union of Railways (UIC) launched TopRail in 2016 to actively promote sustainable railway tourism.