Your city has a story to tell.
We're simply illuminating it.


St. Louis — 2012

What is CityPulse?

CityPulse is citywide network of beacons that provides pedestrian lighting as interactive art, detects and reports street-level activity in real time, creates civic connections, and offers a new platform for human interactions and entrepreneurship.

Each beacon is a modified standard of an existing lighting product equipped with inexpensive infrared sensors and micro controllers. CityPulse gathers pedestrian motion data for display via the CityPulse Map, which can be viewed on any number of digital devices. Choose to overlay the Map with additional data from other open-API resources:

Because the Map is accessible through any web-capable device, it translates seamlessly into a mobile application or a touch-screen kiosk, making it an invaluable exploration resource for locals and tourists alike. Find a bus stop, see who’s playing at that venue, or just choose a new place to get coffee.


A new sense of wonder for thriving neighborhoods

Excitement for growing regions

Landmarks for regional navigation

How Does It Work?

The beacons are available in two sizes: a planted 21-foot-tall Home Beacon and a wall-mounted 10-foot-tall Satellite Beacon. The two different options offer different levels of accessibility, accommodating everything from high-traffic hubs to off-the-beaten-path storefronts. This variety of beacons creates a complete network of nodes into any neighborhood.

Once the beacons are hardwired throughout a neighborhood, they will collect Beacon activation information to send in real-time to the interactive activity Map. When a Beacon is activated, it appears as a “blip” on the Map. Other blips indicate geo-tagged social media activity. The Map interface can be accessed via any web browser, as well as smartphones and tablets. Due to its intuitive design and quick access to location-based data, the Map offers the ideal interface for a public kiosk (see next page), serving as an informational hub for those unfamiliar with the city, or someone simply looking to explore.

Overlaid with the Map are a variety of helpful options including:

  • Venues including restaurants, bars, convenience stores, markets, and other amenities, as well as nearby beacons.
  • Promotional sales or current coupons in your surrounding area.
  • A calendar of events and showtimes to make correlations between crowds and activities.
  • Transit routes and schedules, as well as road traffic reports.
  • Applied gaming using CityPulse’s API that encourage exploration (i.e. scavenger hunts, check-ins, etc.).
  • Interesting city tips, fun facts, architectural history, community art, etc.

Home Beacons are placed at neighborhood hubs

Satellite Beacons are installed at nearby points of interest

Connections are illuminated as activity is visualized

Mobile accessibility allows real-time geographic updates

Why It Matters

By spurring pedestrian navigation and citywide connectivity, CityPulse stands to make a huge impact. This place-making program offers a multi-level intervention that stimulates growth in small and new business, facilitates access to community resources and information, and provides a public venue for emerging trends and creativity in the cityscape.

Economic impact:

  • Increased commercial activity
  • Enhanced tourism
  • Growing entrepreneurship

Health impact:

  • Increased physical activity
  • Increased visibility for community health assets
  • Increased access and communication

Cultural impact:

  • Increased regional awareness and identity
  • Increased navigation of the region
  • Increased arts visibility and engagement
  • Improved perception of the City

Lighting provides a sense of safety which encourages urban exploration

Potential public kiosks give access to residents and tourists alike

A platform for civic entrepreneurship