Company
Date Published
Author
Kyle Kelly-Yahner
Word count
397
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

The Light Blades in Boston Harbor are now interactive thanks to an engineer and a team of artists who have integrated Twilio SMS technology into the display. The feature allows users to send text messages to change the color of the lights, with over 25,000 texts received within days of its launch. The system uses a small Linux-based computer called Rascal to parse the requests and execute the corresponding light displays, with the code behind the feature being only 12 lines long. This interactive installation has become a popular tourist attraction, with users discovering secret light shows by texting specific keywords such as "USA" or "RedSox". The project showcases the potential of public art and technology collaboration to create engaging and immersive experiences.