A Future with Low Energy Signage
In this short video, you can imagine the future of low energy signs. Future Cities Catapult has, in this film, captured six fictional use cases to describe just some of the ways that low energy signage technology might be used in parks, to not only tackle existing challenges, but also to create new opportunities and better, more livable communities. Food for thought? Indeed.
The same technology that has brought libraries of books to our pockets, and allows us to switch on our central heating from the train, offers new opportunities to help cities communicate with people and to develop entirely new and better services.
The video below will inspire city planners and community advocates alike. It’s the best of the “internet of things.”
The much cited “internet of things” hasn’t yet delivered on the promise of wholesale new and improved services. However through low-energy signage it could begin to quietly change the way our cities are understood, read and communicate with citizens and the economy. From way-finding to safety, advertising to transport, the humble signpost, in it’s many forms, has remained the staple and static channel through which cities present information.
As technology develops, the same material that powers the display on an e-reader or some smartwatches is becoming available for use in the urban context. These crisp, high-contrast displays use a system which uses no energy at all in order to display static information. In addition, these displays are not obtrusive – they produce no light, meaning they might be better suited to sensitive heritage areas like parks or historic sites. An additional benefit in these areas, is the potential to reduce the clutter of multiple notices down to one, dynamic display tool!
