LitKNIT Gateways

Lead Designers Nick Tobier, Roland Graf, Michael Rodemer, Anand Doshi

Entry Description

LitKNIT Gateways is a “smart” version of urban knitting that uses LED stripes to transform light poles and public infrastructure into programmable landmarks.

People can interact with this network of illuminated gateways both physically (e.g. through embedded motion and sound sensors) as well as via web interface (e.g. smart phone). For example, on a micro level, pedestrians can walk across, swipe their hands, or jump next to a pole wrapped with LED stripes to set a light pattern in motion that spins around or moves up and down the pole. On a macro level, each gateway can serve as a public display and sensor of city data. For example, a light pole can become an equalizer bar showing the decibel level of a car passing by or display environmental data such as air quality.

These interactive gateways aim at “weaving” together the larger city fabric physically and digitally. Collectively they can play a role in public events, physical fitness / intelligence and emergent urban games.