Is kinetic LED the future?

• Features

• 24/01/2025

Every year, ISE delivers a showstopper – a piece of technology that draws crowds and garners admiration. This year, that showstopper came from LG in the form of an impressive kinetic LED wall.

If the number of people standing around, taking pictures and videos with their smartphones is any gauge, it would seem that the market is ready for this next evolution. However, kinetic LED technology is still in its infancy. Products on the market are few and far between, and the commercial viability of the product has not been firmly established. Anyone advising caution when it comes to evaluating kinetic LED is most definitely being prudent.

Yet, when you consider how the display market is evolving and marry that with the trends in LED usage, it is easy to feel optimistic about the potential impact of kinetic LED. Just look at how LED technology is being employed in entertainment and visitor attractions. The Sphere in Las Vegas remains a hot topic, mainly because it set a new standard for what is possible with LED. Imagine the waves that would be made if a new venue decided to surpass The Sphere by using kinetic LEDs!

At Inavate, we pride ourselves on staying ahead of the curve, and we believe it is never too early to start talking about the future of technology. To that end, we reached out to some of the best and brightest minds in the AV world to gather their thoughts on kinetic LED.

Is kinetic LED a game changer or a gimmick? Let’s delve into the possibilities and find out.

Ray Hwang
LG Electronics Business Solutions (Asia)

Displaying 3D content on large LED displays has recently become a trend, but it requires substantial space for installation. Kinetic LED addresses the need for more eye-catching and differentiated displays. Even in small spaces, kinetic LEDs can provide a true 3D experience with physical movement, making them useful as billboards. Traditional flat displays convey messages using static images and text, while kinetic LEDs deliver content more effectively with dynamic movements. Kinetic LEDs offer dynamic effects such as rotation and movement, making content more vivid and three-dimensional.

These effects capture the audience’s attention and enhance the visual impact.

Unlike normal LEDs, which display information in one direction, kinetic LEDs allow for interaction. For example, audiences can control the movements and display content through gestures, increasing engagement and making the content more interesting.

In terms of its use cases, kinetic LEDs are versatile for stage productions, concerts, and events. They are also useful in virtual production for movie shoots. However, kinetic LEDs require creativity, and much attention has to be paid to the structural design work.

I foresee many future developments of kinetic LED to include polygonal structures and hanging types. Advances in hardware technology to lighten the design and simplify installation and maintenance are also essential.

The key point is to implement various movements and create artistic beauty through these movements. Developing software that simplifies content production is also crucial, as it will help expand the kinetic LED market further.

Rhythm Arora
Qubix Technologies

Every year at ISE, we think that there will be nothing extraordinary next year, but LG’s kinetic LED wall at ISE 2024 definitely did not fail to impress What kinetic LED brings to the table may not seem like much at first. Kinetic LED requires significant investment in hardware, maintenance, and content — which may not be worth it except in high-traffic areas like Times Square. There, the return on investment is justified due to the sheer number of viewers, but once the novelty wears off, kinetic LED becomes just another screen.

For events, concerts, and auditoriums, the kinetic effect might even be lost on viewers far away from the screen, and high operational costs due to moving parts could deter rental companies from investing in kinetic LED.

On the other hand, corporate lobbies are a promising application area, where the screen’s motion adds an engaging element to otherwise muted and monotonous spaces. Lobbies are also ideal spaces for installation as they typically lack direct sunlight. Moreover, having air-conditioned spaces free from dust, heat, or moisture prevents these environmental factors from affecting the moving LED parts. Shopping malls and retail spaces also present great potential, enhancing the shopping experience with dynamic displays.

Regardless of the application type, I believe that most importantly, plugins for Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro should be developed to facilitate easy content creation for these screens. Overall, kinetic LED walls seem like products with limited applications, primarily for creating a ‘wow’ factor. As such, manufacturers might not prioritise them on their production lines. The world can live without kinetic LED for now!

Supachai Thamsirisup
MP Trading

At ISE 2024, I encountered a variety of LED screens on display, but the most impressive by far was LG’s kinetic LED wall. This screen surpasses the typical “3D” LED technology by incorporating kinetic engineering, creating a moveable modular system. Witnessing this innovation was incredibly exciting for both myself and the visitors I accompanied. Upon first seeing the Kinetic LED, I was immediately reminded of the sci-fi film Transformers. It was a real eye-opener, showcasing the remarkable possibilities that we, as AV technology experts, have to constantly create and imagine new applications that excite audiences.

One of the primary purposes of LED screens is to communicate information and convey meaning or emotions to viewers. Kinetic LED takes this to a new level. The future integration of kinetic LED technology promises to revolutionise 3D applications and interactive experiences. For instance, in videoconference applications, the screen could extend or retract when a participant speaks, adding a dynamic element to virtual meetings. Museums could utilise the kinetic movement of these screens to enhance visitor experiences, making exhibits more engaging and interactive. In film production, kinetic LED screens could create a more immersive experience by shaping into forms such as human or AI-generated faces — enhancing storytelling and viewer connection.

We must commend LG for its innovative approach, which inspires new ideas in our work with LED screens. Kinetic LED is a leap into a future where screens are more than just displays — they become dynamic pieces of technology that can transform how we communicate and experience visual content.

Darren Waszkinel
Hewshott Australia

Kinetic LED technology has made a significant impact, capturing attention with its dynamic capabilities. Unlike traditional approaches focused on brightness and pixel density, kinetic LEDs prioritise viewer engagement through moving tiles that present content in a captivating manner.

The true merit lies in creating tailored visual experiences. Strategic visual cues and interactive elements immerse viewers in unique, engaging environments transcending static displays. Potential applications span rental markets like dynamic event backdrops and installations, as well as branded architectural integrations for corporate lobbies, auditoriums, and hospitality spaces.

As manufacturers develop solutions, the reliability, scalability, and longevity are very important to gain confidence and, of course, robust content management integration is crucial. With the development of moving LED panels, the gauntlet has been thrown to the creators who need to fully exploit the technology and get creative to the point they are asking for more. This is an excellent example of what large format LED is and has always been, a facilitator of content-led creativity.

In today’s attention-driven world, kinetic LED presents an exciting opportunity to revolutionise visual engagement. Offering dynamic, immersive experiences, this innovative technology is poised to shape the future of AV across industries by captivating and inspiring audiences.

Zheng Jinsong
Zhejiang Dafeng Industry

Dynamic LED technology, particularly kinetic LEDs, offers a range of movement capabilities such as lifting, translation, rotation, matrix, and robotic arms. In the rental field, simple movements can enhance daily displays, advertising, and publicity, leaving a lasting impression on audiences. More complex movements are ideal for performance shows and major event ceremonies. For instance, kinetic LEDs were showcased at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games 2022 opening ceremony and the Jakarta Asian Games 2018 closing ceremony, and these technologies created stunning visual effects. Additionally, the CCTV Spring Festival Gala in China has been using under-stage and over-stage kinetic screens since 2012, blending real and virtual scenery to provide a visually impactful experience.

Kinetic LEDs have the potential to elevate spaces such as corporate lobbies, public auditoriums, and convention centres to new levels. The integration of virtual display content with the physical movements of LED screens, controlled by mechanical systems, creates two distinct visual experiences.

When combined, these elements produce a greater effect than the sum of their parts, offering an extraordinary and immersive experience for visitors and audiences.

Sand Leung
Nova Range

LG’s kinetic LED wall at ISE 2024 is a revolutionary technology that had captured much attention. I had the opportunity to witness its impressive capabilities at the show. Immediately, my mind started racing with thoughts about the various applications this technology could have. One of the most memorable instances of the use of kinetic LED was the Coca Cola display in Times Square, New York, in 2017. Since then, kinetic LED walls have appeared in hotel and shopping mall entrances, offering awe-inspiring features. However, there haven’t been many breakthrough applications beyond these examples.

This raises a few questions: what limits the potential applications of kinetic LED? Is it only suitable for single-pane movement displays? To explore the possibilities, I brainstormed potential uses for kinetic LED walls.

In theme parks or show sets, audiences could be enclosed within kinetic LED panel walls, creating immersive experiences. Museums and exhibitions could use them to showcase dynamic content. Whereas for live shows and concerts, kinetic LED walls could enhance video displays and serve as engaging backdrops and ceiling features. However, several obstacles need addressing. Creating diverse looping patterns for kinetic LED walls is crucial to avoid monotony, especially when installed in public spaces. Maintenance is another concern as these walls involve more than just video signal management; the mechanical movement feature requires durability testing. Lastly, safety information must be obtained from manufacturers to ensure proper usage.

In conclusion, kinetic LED wall has the potential to revolutionise various industries, but its application has been limited thus far. By exploring new possibilities and overcoming challenges such as looping patterns, maintenance, and safety, we can unlock the full potential of this groundbreaking technology.