Concept

The applications for a new technology often aren't evident to the developers of the technology. 5G networks are a case in point — every telecom provider was offering functionally the same product, struggling to show why low latency mattered in human terms. We worked with Verizon to answer that question not with a spec sheet, but with a bus.

The bus was retrofitted with transparent OLED window displays, spatial sensors, and a 5G connection to edge servers. As the bus moved through the city (or simulated doing so), the windows became augmented reality portals — overlaying real-time information, interactive shopping interfaces, and immersive environments onto the passing streetscape. Passengers could browse products contextualized to their location, explore undersea landscapes mapped to their movement, or watch data visualizations that responded to the network conditions in real time.

Windows as Interface

The transparent displays were central to the experience. Rather than replacing the view, they augmented it — information appeared to float in the real world beyond the glass. This principle of augmentation over replacement is critical for any installation in a working environment. The goal is never to overwhelm a space but to add a layer of legibility to what's already there.

Prototyping and Fabrication

The bus interior was prototyped at full scale before installation, allowing the team to test sightlines, interaction distances, and display calibration in a controlled environment.

Presentation

The finished installation was presented to Verizon leadership and press, with live demonstrations of the AR window system running on the 5G network. The bus traveled across Verizon campuses in North America.