WATER BILLBOARD The automated system synchronises electromagnetic valves to expel single water droplets on demand to display images and text
A new type of billboard, which uses cascading water droplets to display messages and images sent to it by people from their mobile devices, is on display at Sandton City mall, in Johannesburg.
The billboard was commissioned by financial services firm Nedbank and encourages people to save more and enables consumers to display what they plan to do with their savings.
The 4-m-wide and 16-m-tall billboard has an automated system that synchronises electromagnetic valves to expel single water droplets on demand, which enable a freely definable bit-map muster to display images and text, similar to older computer displays.
Consumers can send a short message to a specific number, which is processed through the system and displayed in the water droplets as they cascade down the billboard.
German-UK joint venture company Aquascript built the billboard.
All water used in the display is recycled. The water flows through a pump and is filtered before being pumped back into the system.
The technology, which is remotely controlled, can be installed as a temporary or permanent installation indoors or outdoors.
“It is crucial that we all do our fair share to encourage more South Africans to save. We know that the level of savings in our country is low. “At Nedbank, we are committed to finding new and innovative ways to reach our customers that will engage and inspire them to recognise the importance of saving,” says Nedbank Client Engagement managing executive Anton de Wet.