If there was one seat that brought the “wow” factor at Aircraft Interiors Expo this year, it was the Collins Aerospace and Panasonic Avionics MAYA concept.
Now that the show is long over and I’ve had time to think – what does it bring to the table that will really set things apart from the completion?
Let’s start with the IFE side, where the technology side that Pansonic Avionics brings.
Outside the seat, there is an OLD Seating Screen display – which can be configured to show various things beyond the seat number – be it as a mood light, identification light or service light
Going into the seat, there is one thing that dominates the MAYA seat- the 45″ Curved OLED Screen (at a 21 by 9 ratio), which is part of the Astrova platform.
To say it gives an immersive experience is an understatement, with it angled to put you right in the centre of the vision experience.
This is paired up with a headphone-less audio system, which is an interesting product in itself in how soundwaves are formed and directed, so they envelope the person in the eat, yet don’t cause much noise beyond it – be it in the seat next door or in the alise.
Moving further into the suite, there is the ADAPT controller inside, which provides control of the environment in the seat. There are also manual controls in the form of buttons, rather than a touchscreen
ADAPT controller with seat controls
In the headrest, there are speakers for personalised audio without headphones. For those who like headphones, you can pair your Bluetooth headphones to MAYA.
There’s plenty of storage too in this demostator module.
As well as the usual storage options
Like all top-of-the-line suites, of course, has a door for privacy.
Collins Aerospace also brought its additive manufacturing process- Starlight – to build out composite structures, as well as using recycled, reusable and plant-based materials.
They also note the modularity of the product- so it allows for upgrades over the lifecycle, simplifying the disassembly processes and improving traceability with recycling streams at the end of life.
So why now?
Collins Aerospace and Panasonic Avionics argue that premium cabins continue to be in high demand, with them being the profit generators of today’s airlines. with business-class products being the sweet spot.
And development has progressed since then.
In the 1990s we saw the introduction of motorised seats and business class, adjustable headrests adjustable footprints. In the 2000s we saw the first angled beds followed shortly thereafter by the lifeline beds. In the 2010s, we saw innovations in the cabin layout, direct aisle access for all business class seats through the first herringbone followed thereafter by the reverse herringbone that allowed better window access and then in the 2020s business class privacy doors and first row super suites.
So what next?
With the passenger demographic changing (from GenX and older, to Millenials and eventually, Generation Z, the needs will change – with demands for total connectivity and technology, with them much more being digitally native. Thus, we head into the lands of immersive, which is where the MAYA concept steps up
And the technology?
One thing that both companies were keen to point out, whilst MAYA is a demonstrator unit, the technologies in it are real technologies that can be deployed into a seat.
Shows like Airline Interiors Expo allow airlines to gain feedback about the product and can influence direction – although if circumstantial feedback was to be listened to, it raised a lot of positive eyebrows amongst airlines, as well as those who saw the demonstration.
For Collins and Panasonic, it’s the ultimate collaboration to design a product from the ground up and together from the start, rather than bolting on products onto a seat later.
It could be overwhelming, but it can be a big step forward
Your next business class seat?
Time for my thoughts – and I’ve had a lot of them to think about since the show.
MAYA shows the power of collaboration first and foremost, with two companies bringing complementary technologies together and working together on the deployment of such technologies. That is something I think we’re going to see a lot more of in the future – not just “partnerships” but deep integration and co-designing products.
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room – the screen. Is a 45″ Curved OLED too large as a screen to go into a suite?
I’ll be honest – I found it immersive, but a little overwhelming in terms of sheer size alone. I can perfectly see when on an aircraft and watching a big space battle, or enjoying a person-to-person dialogue scene, this could really suck you in to be part of the moment – and without the eyestrain of an Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality headsets could cause.
But then, I’m used to a 40″ screen a good 5 metres away on the other side of the room – not in the face. In other lives, I’m used to 24″ screens in odd angles, as well as 15″ laptop screen – and even these can be overwhelming depending on the information being shown.
And that will be key – the hardware is brilliant – software deployment and how much density of information will be key in MAYA’s success as a user interface.
As for the application of technology, it’s impressive how they have put so much in, whilst making it user-accessible, showing off a best-in-class concept.
It also shows the divergence of the business class seat designs we’re now seeing from the “bare essentials” right up to “everything and the kitchen sink”.
Whilst I’m sure there is space for both in the market, it’ll be interesting to see which wins out.
Disclosures:
- Economy Class and Beyond was a guest at media briefings by Panasonic Avionics and Collins Aerospace.
- Both Panasonic Avionics and Collins Aerospace facilitated further visits to the demonstration units at both stands during AIX2024. We thank them both for the access to their products and demonstrations
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