Ambient Staircase:
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008When I walk up a staircase it’s usually a cumbersome and uninspiring process. Some buildings like E15 actually seem to encourage not to use the stairs. But instead of resorting to the lift, I wish to have a staircase that is informative and fun, which would make me want to walk it. An example of such a stair is shown here:
The staircase I propose has displays built into the steps, which are wirelessly connected to the web and have a sensor network. The stair senses where the people on it currently are and displays appropriate content to inform and entertain them. The information complexity displayed on the stair depends on the number of people walking up and down. If many people are walking on the stair or walk very fast, only simple, basic information like the weather forecast is displayed.
If the staircase senses a single user with more time, it can also display more complex information.
Games are also possible. In this one, the person walking up the stair should try to avoid the foes.
