BC Hydro Interactive Bike Activation
1. Project Overview
Commissioned by BC Hydro for the 2022 PNE fairgrounds and future events, the BC Hydro Interactive Bike Activation was a large-scale installation designed to educate the public about water turbine-generated electricity in British Columbia. The challenge was creating an experience that was both informative and entertaining for all ages.
2. Design Solution
In partnership with Creative Others and Inventa, we developed an interactive bike race activation. Participants, choosing between a green or blue bike, engaged in a friendly race while learning about water’s journey and its role in powering homes. As they pedaled, participants would generate power, which in turn activated LEDs on the bikes and spun a large LED “water turbine” display. The race’s progress was indicated by a horizontal power bar, with the winning color charging up an electric vehicle model. A key design element was the bikes’ ability to function independently at smaller events, with LEDs powered solely by pedal-generated electricity.
3. Technical Specs
Over 5000 individually addressable LED pixels across the turbine, bikes, car, progress bar, and charging station.
CAN bus network ensuring stable, long-distance communication.
Encoder sensors on each bike, with signal debouncing, to measure rider speed.
Bike-mounted generators powering the LEDs.
Design features for easy transportation, including quick-disconnect ethernet ports and French cleat brackets.
4. Fabrication Details
This project showcased my range of technical services, including:
Client Collaboration: Utilizing Creative Others’ graphical designs, I created precise CAD models for fabrication.
Digital Fabrication: Employed a CNC machine to cut plywood for the turbine, car, and progress bar. I laser-cut acrylic for the car’s windows, headlights, and progress bar tiles.
Custom LED Lighting Solutions: I crafted unique LED tubes for the turbine and neon-like lighting for the car, using LED neon rope strips placed in CNC-cut channels. 44 small backlit acrylic light boxes enhanced the progress bar and car features, such as headlights.
Electronics and Embedded Systems: Designed and installed an electronic system encompassing sensors, microcontrollers, CAN bus networking, and a power distribution system for thousands of LEDs.
Creative Coding: Developed software animations unique to the hardware, creating engaging and responsive visual effects.
Onsite Installation: Managed transportation, installation, system validation, and provided training for client staff on operating the activation.
