Talking lampposts become a reality at MediaCityUK

If communicating with a lamppost, bench and even a flower planter seems strange, it’s a concept set to become a reality at MediaCityUK as a ground-breaking pilot scheme is rolled out which will enable the public to interact with everyday objects via text message.

MediaCityUK is collaborating with Hello Lamp Post to bring state of the art interactive Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to various sites across the creative, digital and tech destination which will encourage the public to have their say in shaping its future. 

This is the first of many Hello Lamp Post rollouts across the UK and abroad, designed to bridge the gap between citizen experience and the shaping of public spaces for the future.

Everyone from workers, residents and visitors will be able to interact with their surroundings by scanning a QR code on a public object such as a planter or bench, enabling them to engage in a friendly two-way conversation via text, receiving real-time answers to their questions as well as information on MediaCityUK’s rich variety of cultural sites and landmarks.

Hello Lamp Post’s QR codes are located at popular spots such as Quayside MediaCityUK, Box on the Docks, next to the Manchester Ship Canal and within MediaCityUK’s award-winning gardens. All those living in and visiting will be encouraged to engage in a playful exchange or informative chat about what makes MediaCityUK special. The quirky questions include everything from what you have had for breakfast, to every Brit’s favourite topic – the weather.

Individuals will also be asked to share insights about their experience and vision for the area on an ongoing basis, which will be fed directly to MediaCityUK and Salford City Council. The data not only gathers sentiment but is an empowering customer service tool as the teams behind the scenes will be looking to implement changes and ideas suggested by the community.

The partnership with Hello Lamp Post, was born out of the MediaCityUK Smart City Innovation Testbed which took place earlier in the year, giving tech start-ups across the UK the opportunity to develop their products and services in real city environments. Run by the UP Accelerator Group and the Connected Places Catapult, the programme is one of the many ways MediaCityUK is supporting and employing smart technologies.

Tiernan Mines, CEO of Hello Lamp Post said:

“Our technology enables citizen and visitor feedback to shape cities for the future and we couldn’t be more thrilled to see this taking place in MediaCityUK. As a city renowned for forward-thinking and embracing new ideas, we see our partnership with MediaCityUK and Salford City Council as the perfect grounds for creating real and lasting change. With the unique and diverse landscape that makes up MediaCityUK, the directions for growth are endless and we’re encouraging all those engaging with our technology to open their minds to the opportunities available and to share their ideas to help create a vision for the future that is aligned with their wants and needs.”