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# Interactive Robot Street Signs
This Cool Street Signal Reacts to Pedestrians

By Michael Baxter | Published 2014-01-27 | Art & Design
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cool-street-signal
References: [fastcoexist](http://www.fastcoexist.com/3024843/living-street-signals-that-make-people-feel-better-about-their-neighborhoods) & [poppop-nyc.tumblr](http://poppop-nyc.tumblr.com/post/70157205445/pop-pop-a-living-pedestrian-signal-in-nyc)

This super cool street signal reacts to everything that pedestrians around it do. The street light, entitled Pop Pop, has a face and apparently feelings as well and he feels strongly about keeping his street safe.

Pop Pop was designed by Master’s students at New York University’s Interactive Telecommunications Program. He reacts, via [real-time data collection](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cyclist-safety1), to things going on at the corner of Broadway and Waverly Place in Manhattan, New York.

When Pop Pop is feeling good, he’ll compliment people and give out encouraging and happy sentiments, when he’s not as happy he will comment, saying things like “stop jay walking” or “look up from your phone.” The point of this cool street signal was to break down the distance people have from each other. The students believe that an [interactive experiment](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whispering-mountains) like Pop Pop can bring people closer together.

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 3.4/10
- Popularity: 58% | Activity: 35% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X
- Top markets: North America, Europe

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [DIY](https://www.trendhunter.com/diy)

## Key Themes

### Why This Trend Is Growing

- **Interactive Street Signals:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design street signals that react to pedestrians' behavior, providing real-time feedback and encouraging safer practices.
- **Real-time Data Collection:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Utilize real-time data collection to create innovative solutions that react to the surrounding environment and enhance user experience.
- **Social-interaction Design:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the potential of interactive designs, like Pop Pop, to break down social barriers and foster human connections in public spaces.

### Industries Being Reshaped

- **Transportation:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate interactive technology into transportation infrastructure, such as street signals, to improve safety and user engagement.
- **Education:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate interactive street signals into educational initiatives to teach pedestrians about safe behavior and promote awareness.
- **Urban Planning:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Apply interactive street signals in urban planning to create inclusive and interactive environments that encourage social interactions.

## Related on Trend Hunter

- [Urban Robot Traffic Safety](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polis.md)
- [Traffic Light-Inspired Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/traffic-light-bench.md)
- [IoT-Connected Traffic Beacons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/traffic-beacon-concept.md)
- [Character-Like Roadway Bollards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/safety-bollard.md)
- [Interactive Autonomous Cityscape Sweepers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interactive-unmanned-sweeper-concept.md)
- [AI-Powered Digital Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/intellino-signamic.md)
- [Modular Urban Light Poles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shift-pro.md)
- [Kinetic Interaction Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/transmutation-observatory.md)
- [AI-Assisted Urban Traffic Management](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-traffic-management.md)
