 |
A-170 Video Lightsign Airship Brings Blade Runner Blimp To Sky Near You
The Lightship Group, working with Hi-Tech Electronic Displays, has announced the A-170 Video Lightsign Airship. The airship's amazing 2,100-square-foot sign (that's 30x70 feet) is mounted on the side of an A-170 airship.
(A-170 Video lightsign airship in ad mode)
The sign can display full color still images, as well as live video, at night. Hi-Tech Electronic Displays president Ralph Paonessa states that, during recent tests, the A-170 Lightsign Airship sign could be seen from two miles away. Similar sized signs, seen in many sports venues, typically weigh about six tons; the Hi-Tech LED display weighs just 900 pounds and is 1.5 inches thick, boasting 128x240 resolution.
(A-170 Video lightsign airship blank screen)
According to Toby Page, marketing director of The Lightship Group, "we have changed the traditional blimp media platform into a technologically advanced tool for the 21st century." And if you think that this thing would look impressive over a football game, just think how it would look flying at about fifth floor level through a city.
(Advertising blimp from Bladerunner)
That's just what director Ridley Scott thought during Blade Runner, his 1982 movie based on science fiction writer Philip K. Dick's novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. In the film, enormous airships fly close overhead, with both video and audio advertising.
"A new life awaits you in the Off-world colonies. The chance to begin again in a golden land of opportunity and adventure...A new life awaits you in the Off-World Colonies. The chance to begin again in a golden land of opportunity and adventure. Lets go to the Colonies!"
No word yet from The Lightship Group about an audio capability; however, it is waterproof, and so could withstand advertising off-world colonies in 2019 Los Angeles, where the ruined climate offered what seemed like 24x7 rain over the city. Also, the A-170 Video Lightsign airship may be used with GPS tracking, text messaging individual customers within range.
If you are interested in adverts overhead, see this article on Sky Billboards. Read about these creative technovelgies from the movie and/or the novel; the Voight-Kampff empathy test, electric sheep and one of my personal favorites, the mood organ. Take a look at the A-170 Video Lightsign press release and the website for The Lightship Group. Thanks to Armchair Anarchist for the tip on this story.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 5/4/2006)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 2 )
Related News Stories - (" Media ")
'Facetime Facelift' Beautifies Video Chats
Always look your best - on Facetime.
Meeting Wendy Of Wendy's
Wendy of Wendys meet Rondald of McDonald's.
Narrative Science And Phil Dick's Homeostatic Newspaper
'The structure... was once a great homeostatic newspaper, the New York Times.'
BookTrack Adds Sound To Books
I really don't think this is a very good idea. Readers?
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
LA Subway Scanner, As Seen In 'Total Recall'
'I'm afraid to tell you this Mr. Quaid, but you have suffered a schizoed embolism...'
Sion Electric Car Covered With Solar Panels
'It drew its power from six square yards of sunpower screens on its low curved roof.'
PAL-V Liberty Flying Helicopter Car
'...lifted themselves to skimming flight upon whirling helicopters."
Space Drones - UK's Effective Space To Launch Rocket Tugs
'Twenty rocket tugs towed it from its Earth hangar out into space.'
DIY Autonomous Robot Detects Trash
'The search-bug detached itself and rolled forward.'
Ancient Russian Walking Excavator Would Be Perfect RV
I don't need it to go fast, it just needs to amble along.
ELROI Satellite 'License Plate'
Robert Heinlein was thinking about this in 1941.
When Robots Beg For Their Lives
"Just what do you think you're doing... Dave.'
Do You Still Want A Folding Screen Phone?
'A paper thin polycarbon screen unfurled...'
'Snapchat Dysmorphia' Now A Thing, Say Plastic Surgeons
'The program raced up the screen one scan line at a time, subtly smoothing, deleting and coloring.'
Quiet Electric Cars Law Finalized By US Transportation Department
'... a sound tape to supply the noise'
Drone Assassin Fails To Kill Venezuelan President
'The spotter descends, and we think it searches the vicinity, looking for the victim's face...'
Stick-On Tape Speakers, As Predicted By Bruce Sterling
Flexible tape speakers, someday.
Bezos Invites You To New Life In Off-World Colonies
'A new life awaits you!'
Amazon's Rekognition System Sees Criminals In Congress
'... the imprint of her image on the telephoto cell.'
Build Your Own Space Suit For Cheap
'I'm going to pump the air from this room... so that the interior will be like airless and pressure-less space.'
