Mobile IoT delivery System for London transport
Bespoke IoT based Advertising Solution for Transport and Taxi Cabs
Overview
RDS partnered with a customer to develop a bespoke IoT based mobile advertising solution for London Black Taxi cabs. The system was designed for continuous outdoor operation, combining high-brightness displays with remote monitoring, GPS-enabled location-based advertising abd 5G communication. RDS delivered a fully integrated solution including both hardware and software to support real-time control and fleet management.
Challenge & Objectives
The customer required a solution that could:
Display advertising on two large high-brightness screens on moving vehicles
Operate reliably in all weather and lighting conditions
Allow remote content updates and system monitoring via 4/5G
Integrate GPS for location-based advertising content
Include robust mechanical mounting and durable, long-term hardware
The solution needed to provide maximum visibility and impact while minimising maintenance and operational disruption.
Design & Development
RDS developed the solution using iterative SolidWorks prototypes, refining both mechanical and electronic design to meet real-world operational requirements. Key features of the design included:
Custom metalwork for secure vehicle mounting and vibration resistance
High-brightness displays capable of daylight readability
Embedded PC system to run dynamic advertising content
GPS module for location-based content switching
5G connectivity for remote updates and monitoring
Environmental sealing and rugged design for all-weather reliability
RDS also delivered a software platform to manage fleet-wide content distribution, monitoring and diagnostics, integrating seamlessly with the hardware for real-time operation.
Production & Deployment
Following successful prototyping, the customer commissioned production batches built at RDS’s Westerham, UK facility. The finished units were installed across a fleet of London taxi cabs, providing high-impact mobile advertising with real-time tracking and remote content management.
Outcome & Impact
The deployed system delivered:
High-visibility, outdoor-ready advertising displays
GPS-driven content switching for targeted, location-based adverts
Remote monitoring and over-the-air updates via 5G
Reliable operation in all weather conditions and across the moving fleet
The customer praised the solution:
“The system RDS helped us to build is a world beater.”
This project demonstrates RDS’s capability to deliver complex, mobile IoT display solutions that integrate hardware, software and communications for operational effectiveness in real-world conditions.
Key Takeaways
Dual high-brightness displays for mobile advertising
Embedded PC and 5G connectivity for real-time control
GPS-enabled location-based content switching
Rugged, weatherproof construction suitable for taxis
UK-based prototyping and production with full system integration
RDS provides end-to-end delivery of bespoke mobile display solutions, from design and prototyping through production and remote operational management.
