First class passengers are already accustomed to high-definition video and noise cancellation audio equipment, but now In Seat Solutions is rolling out a new dimension of immersion into inflight entertainment for airline passengers with its Relaxor massage seat.
“We are very excited about is the interactive IFE experience,” says Gabriel Ruvalcaba, airline program manager an In Seat Soluionts. “Within the interactive IFE experience, we take the low frequency audio signals from movies, music, gaming, and transmit that to the seat so the passenger not only gets to watch, listen, or play with the IFE system, but actually gets more involved. It enhances the feeling of the sound.” Ruvalcaba adds that the feature will also be available in an economy-class solution.
“Currently, we are developing this to work with embedded IFE systems. If [passengers] wanted to use their own content, we can also develop it that they can put an input into the side of the seat and use the massage system to interact with their own media.”
Indeed, Thales last week displayed the Relaxor seat on its stand at the APEX EXPO, and said a number of airlines had already shown interest in the interactive IFE experience for premium passengers.
“Our first customer will be rolling out aircraft with these new massage systems installed on Airbus A320 aircraft, and also a Boeing 777 aircraft in the first quarter of 2013,” says Ruvalcaba.
Check out our interview with In Seat Solutions at the EXPO!
September 26, 2012
IFEC, Interiors