E Ink Holdings has partnered with solar-powered passenger information display technology provider Papercast to install smart bus stop displays in Japan.

The pilot project will be carried out in Aizuwakamatsu city, approximately 135 miles from Japanese capital Tokyo.

Using E Ink’s ePaper solution and low power wide area (LPWA) wireless technology, the smart bus stop display will provide real-time information about bus services, including arrivals, timetables, route data and route transfers, as well as any sudden service changes.

These platforms will be managed remotely by Papercast’s data management platform.

The new displays are expected to replace the conventional paper signage in the bus stops, thereby eliminating the cost of manually updating information.

Furthermore, the displays will offer multi-language services, as well as connect digital bus stops to offer a convenient way to access real-time transportation information.

“By utilising E Ink’s ePaper display solutions, we have developed a platform that is cost-effective, low-power and easy to use.”

Papercast Business Development director Rado Skender said: “By utilising E Ink’s ePaper display solutions, we have developed a platform that is cost-effective, low-power and easy to use.

“We anticipate that this partnership will enable widespread adoption in Japan and other countries as it improves the customer experience and encourages the use of public transportation among residents and out-of-town visitors.”

The displays exhibit paper-like properties of E Ink technology and can be conveniently viewed under direct sunlight.

They can also continue to show the image even without power, which is required only when the content is updated.

Papercast will create a solar-powered sign that will eliminate the need for electrical wiring.

Aizu Riding Car Development, a consortium initiated by the Aizuwakamatsu bus service Aizu Bus operator Michinori Holdings, is administering the project.