london shoppers create electricity just by walking down a path installed by pavegan on bird street. shoppers crossing between oxford street and barret street can generate power with their footsteps thanks to a 10 sq m ‘pavegen walkway’. according to the london-based manufacturer its V3 panel can turn footsteps into 5 W of continuous power, while capturing pedestrian-flow-metrics. this harvested kinetic energy will then be converted into electricity and will power street lamps, bluetooth transmitters, and quite aptly, background bird sounds for the london street.



all images © pavegan

pavegan’s panels allows shoppers pacing down bird street to see just how much electricity their footsteps are producing via a smartphone, and they might possibly find themselves being rewarded. branded apps will be offering to convert footfall into discounts and vouchers. audio speakers placed along the path will enhance the sense of calm by playing bird sounds activated by people walking on the panels.

origami-influenced geometric retail units from harry dobbs design have been positioned down one side of the street, featuring pop-up shops with vintage clothing and fresh food.

‘it’s great to see innovative ‘smart street’ scheme delivered on bird street, the concepts and ideas of which could easily be adapted across london,’ comments transport for london’s alex williams. ‘I hope we can see further examples of this innovative 21st century thinking in the future as we work to transform oxford street and the surrounding area to make it a world-class public space for all.’