Robots Send Your Message in Light

In a little over a week, Trafalgar Square will be home to a unique installation that will let Internet users send messages to friends and loved ones using nothing but light.

Using eight of the same kinds of industrial robots that automobile production lines employ, “Outrace” receives messages via the Internet or mobile device. The eight robots have bright lights at the tips of their arms, which then spell out the words in light. A nearby camera will take long-exposure photos of the lights, capturing the messages you send, which you can then share on Facebook or Twitter or whatever.

Outrace is a collaboration between car-maker Audi and European design firm Kram/Weisshaar, and is being displayed as part of the upcoming London Design Festival. To send a message of your own, login to outrace.org between September 17th and September 23rd.