PixMob – Interactive optics to engage crowds

The Montreal-based company PixMob develops unique and versatile multimedia approaches that activate luminous effects in crowds during major events. Optech designed and implemented a new optical configuration to optimize the system’s performance.

The portable devices created by PixMob, worn by spectators, respond to commands from an interactive infrared projection optical system. These devices can light up, turn off, blink, change color, or twinkle. PixMob has demonstrated its expertise on a global scale at major events such as the 2014 Super Bowl and the Sochi Olympic Games.

“PixMob is proud to have collaborated with Optech and Cégep André-Laurendeau. Our teams worked closely together to develop new, higher-performance imaging and projection optics. The results will very soon be deployed in the field.”
– Vincent Leclerc, CTO, PixMob

With the support of an Applied Research and Development (ARD) grant obtained in 2014 by Cégep André-Laurendeau, Optech researchers first characterized the optical performance of the projector used by PixMob. They then created a CAD model of the projector and, using simulation software, optimized a new optical engine and a new projection lens to substantially increase the luminous intensity of the projected visual information. Finally, the researchers assembled a new prototype incorporating components optimized for a narrow-band region in the near infrared. Optech then manufactured freeform acrylic lenses, produced using diamond turning, as part of the imaging system. The new projector now enables an increase of over 300% in projected intensity, along with significant improvements in angular coverage and uniformity of the projected images.