X + LED = Extreme Signage

For the first time, attendees at this year’s X Games had interactive electronic signage to measure not only how high a BMXer or skateboarder’s jump was, but, in some cases, how far they’d fall.

The “big air” events utilized Element Labs’ Stealth LED video displays to create a “huck-o-meter,” which provided real-time measurements of some vertical ascents that bordered on ethereal. Other panels displayed athletes’ stats, animations and sponsor logos.

Organizers of the recent Los Angeles games said they decided to use this signage because the X Games isn’t your standard sporting event.

This became most obvious when the huck-o-meter recorded Australian skateborder Jake Brown flying 15 ft. above the half pipe, only to lose his board and crash 45 ft. to the ground. He didn’t break a single bone. And he still won the silver medal.