Virtual Wall links South Korean designer and Glasgow road traffic lawyer
Intrigued by a so-called Virtual Wall designed for busy city streets devised by South-Korean product designer Hanyoung Lee, Gaberlunzie went web trawling. And indeed, instead of showing a red light when it is time for pedestrians to cross the street, the Wall projects a curtain-like, two-dimensional image of giant people crossing the street. The real pedestrians walk shielded from traffic by their giant virtual counterparts.
Lee’s design—still on the drawing board yet—works with a stack of laser projectors installed in poles on opposites sides of the street. Digital renderings of the Wall can be found on Yanko Design, and while there’s no word on an actual prototype, the device would likely cost more than traditional traffic lights.
Thus, any city thinking of commissioning a Virtual Wall might consider flashing advertising messages over the heads of the virtual pedestrians to help offset the system’s cost. Another potential issue might be activating the Wall without startling motorists approaching the intersection.
This concept seems to present a host of business opportunities, as well as great PR potential for the first cities that implement it. Besides halting traffic at intersections, the projected images could be used to direct crowds at large events or form temporary virtual fences to warn motorists that road construction crews are working nearby. And how about smart deer crossing walls, that can both detect and project oncoming deer?
As if on clue, 'deer' and then having spotted the Scottish Gaberlunzie, the ad beneath the item on the website reads Specialist
Traffic Lawyer. Specialist Legal Representation For Road Traffic Cases In Scotland and takes you to the internet division of Michael Lyon Solicitors, a firm specialising in Road Traffic Law and regulated by the Law Society of Scotland and his authentic picture includes the Glasgow phone number. Amazing!
Source: http://www.springwise.com/
Website: www.yankodesign.com/index.php/2008/04/21/cant-cross-a-virtual-wall
Scottish traffic law web: http://www.theroadtrafficlawyer.com/