Frequently Asked Questions

General
Do the objects actually talk?

Yes, objects will interact with you through text-based conversations, via SMS, WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. We’re working on getting them to actually speak!

Is there a separate app to download?

No, all conversations take place through existing widely available chat platforms (SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger).

What type of projects do we work on?

Hello Lamp Post has been used in cities around the world for community consultation, consumer research, playful engagement and storytelling.

Is it free to interact?

Where SMS is the primary communication platform; your mobile provider’s standard rates for sending and receiving text messages still apply. You may be charged by your carrier for any messages you send or receive. Rates will be calculated according to the terms of your cellular contract.

Do some people abuse the system?

The system is anonymous and open to any audience in a project location. Any abusive or offensive messages are moderated, so won’t appear in other conversations or reporting.

What are the benefits to the end user/ community?

No apps to download, No account creation forms to fill out, No usage fees (texts are charged at standard local rates), Comprehensive data security, Always operational, 24/7 and An opportunity to give feedback.

Pricing
What does it cost?

Project prices are bespoke, based on duration, number of objects and the depth of content.

How do I enquire?

Contact sales to discuss procurement. We are also registered with a number of GovTech marketplaces including G Cloud, Spark and Microsoft Azure Marketplace.

Process
Which council teams do we work with?

To date, we have worked with; transport, tourism, culture, finance, community services.

What data will I get access to?

We create and share insights and responses through our own visualizations, both for presentation in offline reports and live dashboards. We can also share all responses.

How long does setup take?

Setup is always based upon the size of the deployment. Some projects take 2 days, others 2 months.

How easy is it to ‘scale-up’ a project/deployment?

The system is flexible, meaning all objects, content and locations can be scaled up or down dependent on requirement.

How much influence do clients have over the content?

We provide you with maximum opportunity to shape content through a submission process. Alternatively we can look after all ideation and creation of content, if provided with the appropriate resources and limited input from you.

Benefits
How can we engage with ‘hard to reach’ communities?

Strategically place signage, additional languages, straight forward content, playfulness, free, anonymous).

Is there any hardware to install?

There is no physical hardware required. To encourage interaction you will need to install on-street promotional signage which we custom design for each location.

“Hello Lamp Post is a fantastic example of how the Environment Agency embraces innovation and harnesses technology. It has the potential to reduce our carbon footprint by hundreds of tonnes per year.”

Caroline Douglass,
Executive Director Flood and Coastal Risk Management,
Environment Agency

“Using Hello Lamp Post, our downtown district has increased the level of engagement and given us a new way to engage that evolves beyond static forms of communication like phone, email or social media platforms like Facebook.”

Betsy Potter,
Director of Creative Services, Iowa City Downtown District

“This is a powerful tool for our council, particularly the speed and accuracy of the AI generated answers.”

Chief Executive, Dundee City Council