LED Carpet

Two global leaders in lighting and carpets recently announced a partnership to develop “light transmissive carpets” capable of turning floors into displays. The key was to replace the traditional rubber carpet backing with something that could transmit light and still stand up to the wear and tear of heavy foot traffic. The result was a translucent plastic laid on top of a thin steel screen containing an array of LEDs.

One of the first applications for the new floor covering will be for animated signage on the floors of airports, theaters, hotels and other public areas, not only to guide people to their destination but also to facilitate efficient evacuation in the event of an emergency. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, the lighted carpet could not only enhance ambiance but also serve to visually declutter busy areas by making information visible only when it’s needed. And it’s only a matter of time (probably not long) before we’ll see it being incorporated into interactive gaming technologies.