Panasonic Avionics Corporation has announced new features for its in-flight map platform, Arc. Welcome to ARC v2.0
Arc v2.0 is an advanced map design that operates in a connected environment utilising the technology of Panasonic Avionics’ NEXT and its recently launched Astrova in-flight entertainment systems.
Arc has been deployed by 25 airlines since its announcement in 2019.
Passengers using the newest release of Arc will benefit from a range of new, advanced functions, including:
- Arc Weather: regularly updated weather data, presented both globally and specific to the flight’s destination, as well as other locations of the passenger’s choice. Arc Weather is just the first of many live, data-enabled features and map content layers that will become available in future releases.
- Arc Studio: extend the flexibility and longevity of the map with this web-based designer’s tool to update and manage map data such as place names, landmarks, or points of interest. Future capabilities include authoring and deploying new templates for map content and views.
- Information for Islamic passengers: an updated Mecca pointer, and relevant timings for each day during Ramadan.
- Enhanced city guides: incorporate new design elements into points of interest and create custom articles to drive destination engagement and bolster partnerships.
Onto the 20223 update
In addition to Arc v2.0, upcoming features for its next major Arc release in 2023 have been revealed. These include:
- Arc 3D for handsets: a fully native application designed to deliver the Arc experience in your own hands, a future release will enable Arc as a fully-functioning interactive map experience designed specifically for our Premium Handset.
- Arc Flight Simulator: Using the at-seat screen or handset, passengers can take simulated control of their flight, navigate the world, and play flight-related games.
In Quotes
Dominic Green, Senior Director of Digital Product Management at Panasonic Avionics, says,
“Arc 2.0 takes inflight maps to the next level. It leverages our proven design thinking, the latest 4K technology, and in-flight connectivity to deliver a breadth of real time information and insights in flight.”
Continual Development
No platform ever stands still – it is welcoming to see Panasonic Avionics continually adjust, develop and improve its ARC mapping platform, as an offering to airlines who want to expand their moving map coverage, as well as being able to add their own data layers, highlights and so on.
The flight simulator will be something we at Economy Class and Beyond will be looking at closely Panasonic Avionics is ready to demonstrate it.
With the moving map a core part of the IFE setup and in many ways – part of the travel experience, innovation in this space is welcome.
Editors Note: As you can tell, we are not at APEX Expo this year. We’ll be covering the headlines from the comfort of our sofa
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