I’ve been long impressed by the word Jetlite has done to improving lighting in the aircraft, and how it helps when trying to relax, and aid sleep in the cabin. Today, a new partnership was launched with Recaro Aircraft Seating to bring Jetlite’s human centric lighting to the seat.
Recaro CL6710 with jetlite lighting installed – Image, Recaro
In this phase of the development project, this will target an implementation to bring Human Centric Lighting for business class seats.
jetlite’s Human Centric Lightingcan support the inner clock of passengers and thus reduce the effects of jetlag. Current solutions place this lighting in the cabin (as deployed on Lufthansa’s Airbus A350 fleet). The new partnership will explore if it is possible to bring this sort of lighting to the seet
In 2017 German start-up jetlite launched its solution to defeat jetlag. It is based on a scientific algorithm focused on optimizing aircraft cabin lighting with respect to flight route, direction, duration and overflown time zones on long-haul flights to suit human biorhythms. The lighitng solution supports the sleep-wakecycle of passengers: by correctly adjusting the color, intensity, timing and direction of light during a long-haul flight.
How it works
According to jetlite, the product works like this:
Passengers fill out a brief questionnaire upon boarding the plane so jetlite can determine their chronotype – a categorization of their inner-clock based on sleep behavior – and how much they would like to sleep during the flight as well as the travel objective. This data is complemented with variables like flight route, direction and time zones crossed to establish an individualized lighting plan for that passenger. To put it simply, warm light with a higher red component will be deployed during periods passengers say they want to relax, while cooler light with a higher blue component will provide stimulation during the phases of the journey, they want to be more active.
Visualisations of the app in action
The questionnaire can be built into an airline app, to allow for data to be collected before flight.
In quotes:
Dr. Mark Hiller, CEO and Shareholder of Recaro Aircraft Seating:
“We are working hard to soon make jetlite’s Human Centric Lighting concept available as an individual feature integrable in business class seats. Once launched into the market, it will provide airlines with a point of real differentiation against the competition. At the same time, it will improve passenger comfort and hence contribute to greater customer retention.”
Dr. Achim Leder, CEO of jetlite.
“A couple of years ago we developed our scientifically proven jetlite algorithm to battle jetlag,”
“Lufthansa’s implementation of the technology as a cabin lighting solution in its A350-fleet was a big step forward for the company. Our system, however, truly comes into its own when it is integrated into each individual seat. That is exactly what the collaboration with Recaro is about: to develop a truly bespoke lighting experience tailored to each passenger.”
Toni Garrn, globally renowned super model and actress, frequent flyer and co-founder of jetlite, states
“People often joke about getting their ‘beauty sleep’,” she says. “But when you’re a model, looking and feeling fresh is very serious business. When I arrive at my destination, I need to be ready to perform. Individualized Human Centric Lighting in business class adjusted to my own sleep pattern and needs will help me achieve that.”
Implementation
As a development project, it’s being shown off at the Recaro Booth at Aircraft Interiors Expo, to gather feedback. Next steps in implementation and availability will be determined based on that feedback, although a 2-3 year lead-time to market was quoted during the press conference.
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