Pedestrians in Stuttgart find information about events in a safe and smart way

As part of the Smart City Initiative with Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH, Funkwerk Systems GmbH has developed a state-of-the-art pedestrian information and guidance system that is changing the way pedestrians explore urban environments. The guide moves every three minutes, drawing attention to events at central points in Stuttgart’s town centre. This pioneering project took second place in the German Tourism Award in 2023. It relies on the three-dimensional triflex R energy chain and highly flexible chainflex cables from igus to ensure smooth and reliable operation.

It’s Saturday and the town centres are busy. A little shopping spree here, a little window-shopping there. And suddenly, a moving pillar with exciting information about the day’s events attracts attention. It rotates and updates as if by magic. Why not go to the cabaret today? Simply scan the QR code on the pillar and book your ticket. This special experience is made possible by Funkwerk, the company that developed the digital pedestrian guidance system. It provides precise directions to events and details on ticket availability and prices in addition to information on sights, public transport and other important points of interest. Three movable digital arrows show the way and change direction every three minutes. High-resolution LED displays installed from both sides provide visual information that is easy to read at all times from a distance of up to 20m and in different weather and lighting conditions. The GPS-controlled pillars can currently be found as part of a pilot project in Stuttgart’s town centre. They show passers-by the current events in regular rotation and point them in the direction of the respective venue – including specifications regarding distance and public transport. To ensure that the digital control system works reliably and without maintenance, selecting the right cables and their guidance was particularly important in the design. In the compact installation space of the stand, the cables must move safely with the smallest bend radii. The designers therefore placed their trust in the highly flexible chainflex cables and the triflex R energy chain from igus.

igus components ensure reliable energy supply

For the demanding application of the Funkwerk control system, the control cables CF77.UL and the bus cable CFROBOT8 are used. The CF77.UL cables are extremely robust, twistable and ideal for dynamic applications and compact bend radii. They guarantee a long service life and minimise downtime due to their high reliability. The CFROBOT8 has been specifically developed for use in robots and moving applications and is also characterised by its excellent torsion resistance. This is particularly advantageous in the complex motion sequences of the Funkwerk system. The cables are moved in a three-dimensional triflex R energy chain, which guides them safely in all directions in the tightest of installation spaces. The interaction of these igus components allows for a fail-safe and reliable control system. All igus components are tested in the 4,000m2 igus laboratory in Cologne and come with a four-year guarantee.