Points features rotary electrical interfaces which allow the arms to endlessly spin 360° in either direction, removing the issue of tangled wires. While this solves one problem, it creates another: knowing the exact position of each arm at all times. To accomplish this, Points utilizes a 200 pulse per rotation quadrature encoder, allowing it to know its exact rotational degree at any given point. It also features a magnetometer and touchless magnetic switches that assist in always keeping it pointed in the right direction.

Controlling the 16,000 LEDs which make up the arm displays takes some hearty processing power. The latest XMega chips provide blazing data performance while keeping the interior temperature cool and the power drain at a minimum.

The motor design and gearing rig were our greatest challenges. While each arm was designed using the most weight-efficient materials, a motor strong enough to spin it would be almost twice as large as the space available inside the arm. It took a custom built system using over 11 gears and specialized motors to achieve the strong, reliable, and smooth motion achieved in the final product.

The super-bright LEDs panels that make up each arm's display were custom designed to look beautiful, be highly reliable, and perform in a wide range of environmental conditions. Their wide viewing angle allow the displays to be easily readable from any direction, while Pulse Width Modulation achieves the greatest brightness and the ability to handle complex fading.

Designing a large device like Points to be durable while also being able to break for transportation made for some hurdles. We chose to build 90% of all mechanical parts from lightweight aluminium. This provides Points with the strength and durability to live in an array of different environments; while keeping it lightweight and efficient for transport as well as functionality.

Every part of Points has been designed and fabricated from the ground up. In collaboration with Blacklabel Development, we built incredible circuitry that delivers great performance while conforming to the size requirements of the design. The LED arrays, in particular, go well beyond standard practices, allowing a new level of what can be achieved from this type of display.