Denver International Airport (DIA) today unveiled “Open Windows”, an experimental digital customer experience on the B Concourse.

DIA commissioned the Denver-based Signal-to-Noise Media Labs group to create an interactive digital experience thatcombines elements of art, entertainment and technology to create a brand new experience for passengers. Open Windows, located near gate B51, combines 128 custom fabricated LED rings of light and a 3D motion-detection camera to create an 11-foot-tall interactive tower of lights that react to a person’s movement. The installation can be programmed with games and other experiences to change passenger interactions over time so that no two visits are the same.

“Denver International Airport is working to improve the overall customer experience for our travelers, and we wanted to find a way to create an installation in which travelers could play, enjoy and engage in a unique way that they wouldn’t find at other airports,” said John Ackerman, DIA’s chief commercial officer. “Open Windows was designed as an experiment to see how we can enhance the airport through innovative uses of technology, art and other mediums.”

Signal-to-Noise Media Labs is an open group of artists, engineers, scientists and makers that come together to create interactive audio and media technologies. The Open Windows development team was led by Jeff Merkel, a lecturer in both physics and recording arts at the University of Colorado - Denver, where he teaches acoustics, audio production and music technology.

“Open Windows is an interactive light experience that engages users with motion and sound controllers,” Merkel said. “It's a puzzle, game and generative piece that will continue to evolve in fun and interesting ways.”

Open Windows was developed using open source hardware and software, and contains more than 2,000 feet of wires, 7,680 individual LED lights, two computers and 1,400 pounds of steel. The motion tracking sensors respond to depth, skeletal tracking and sound.