Moving Heads: AI-Powered Kinetic Display for RayBan
When RayBan needed an installation that would stop people in their tracks, they turned to Different Engineering. The result: a series of AI-powered motorized display heads, mounted in storefront windows in New York and Milan, that use real-time computer vision to track and follow passersby as they walk past the store.
The installation transforms passive retail windows into active, engaging experiences, turning a simple glance into an interaction that draws potential customers inside.
The Challenge
The brief was clear but technically demanding: create a kinetic display system capable of running continuously in a high-traffic retail environment, tracking human movement in real time, without any physical interaction from store staff. The system had to be robust enough for 24/7 operation across multiple international flagship stores, while maintaining the premium aesthetic expected by the RayBan brand.
Our Engineering Solution
Different Engineering designed and built a custom mechatronic system integrating:
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Computer vision algorithms for real-time pedestrian detection and tracking
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High-precision servo motors for smooth, responsive head movement
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Custom embedded software stack optimized for continuous, low-latency operation
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Ruggedized hardware enclosures designed for retail window environments
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The system processes visual input in real time, calculates movement trajectories, and drives the motorized heads with sub-100ms response time, creating the illusion of genuine awareness and curiosity.
Deployed in Flagship Stores
The Moving Heads installation launched simultaneously in RayBan flagship stores in New York City and Milan, two of the brand's most high-visibility retail locations. The system operates autonomously, requiring no daily intervention, and has generated measurable increases in pedestrian engagement and store dwell time.
Technologies Used
Computer Vision · Real-Time Object Tracking · Servo Motor Control · Embedded Systems · AI Algorithms · Custom Hardware Design