You’re starting your day, coffee in hand, and stepping out the door to make your way into the city. As you move through your morning commute, you can find E Ink technology along the way, subtly enhancing your trip, offering real-time information, clear visibility, and sustainable solutions along your route. Whether it be checking your transport arrival times, way-finding the best route, or various information displays that highlight the week’s updates and events, E Ink displays will be right by your side for the journey.
Credit: Mercury Innovation
7:30 AM: Waiting at the Transit Stop
At the transit stop, an E Ink-powered, solar-powered sign greets you with live updates on bus and train arrivals. These Electronic Paper Display (EPD) signs, tested by the MBTA, offer a crisp, paper-like display that’s easy to read even in bright sunlight. Constantly updated from a central location, they ensure you stay informed about delays or service changes. Unlike traditional digital displays that rely on energy-hungry wired power, E Ink signs run efficiently on solar energy. With a wide temperature range, ePaper displays remain operational in extreme weather, eliminating the need for additional heating or cooling devices. Evaluated for durability and performance, these signs are set to expand across more bus and subway stops throughout Greater Boston, reducing strain on power grids—a critical factor during summer energy challenges and the upcoming colder months.
As you travel on the Green Line, E Ink displays show transit alerts and route information. Their design avoids light pollution, as E Ink technology isn’t backlit like traditional screens, making them ideal for urban areas with zoning laws that limit bright displays. Reflecting ambient light, they’re easy to read without eye strain, regardless of lighting conditions. By using minimal power, these signs support Boston’s green mobility goals, easing energy demands on the power grid and ensuring a sustainable start to your day.
Credit: Soofa
8:30 AM: Grabbing a Snack Near a DOOH Sign
On your way to grab a muffin to-go, you notice a Soofa public information display nearby. These E Ink-powered signs are scattered throughout Boston and Cambridge, seamlessly blending useful transit info with local event updates. The 42-inch panels serve as focal points for community engagement, combining advertisements with essential updates for your week and giving you a dynamic digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising experience. Traditional out-of-home (OOH) advertising, which often relies on billboards and posters, tends to consume significant energy and generate waste. By contrast, Soofa’s E Ink-powered displays offer a sustainable alternative to these outdated methods.
Powered entirely by solar energy, E Ink mimics the appearance of ink on paper while consuming minimal power—around 100 times less than LCD or LED screens. This efficiency, along with the signs' zero-power consumption when not updating, significantly reduces energy use and environmental impact. Soofa’s partnership with E Ink, which began in 2016, enabled the rollout of these eco-friendly displays throughout Boston and communities across the United States, ensuring no additional energy is drawn from the city grid.
Credit: LEDATEL
E Ink Beyond Boston: Powering Cities Across the Globe
While Boston’s use of E Ink is impressive, it’s by no means an isolated case. As you expand your commute beyond Boston and plan your next trip, here are a few more examples of how E Ink is revolutionizing public infrastructure in other cities:
- Las Vegas, NV: Soofa’s solar-powered displays are also installed in Las Vegas, offering a seamless blend of transit information and community-focused content, all while contributing to the city’s smart city initiatives.
- Poland: On the trains of Koleje Dolnośląskie, passengers encounter full-color E Ink Gallery™ displays that replace traditional paper posters. These sustainable signs reduce energy usage, allowing for remote updates without compromising on visual quality.
- Qatar: In Qatar, Papercast has implemented E Ink displays at public transit stations that operate efficiently even in extreme temperatures. These signs continue to perform in hot climates, where traditional LED and LCD screens often struggle due to power demands and heat sensitivity.
E Ink technology is paving the way for sustainable, smart city infrastructure across the globe. Whether it’s reducing energy consumption or offering clearer, more accessible information, E Ink is the quiet champion of your morning commute—both in Boston and beyond.
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