Crystal Cabin Awards 2017

The Revitalisation SystemVaero Design

In collaboration with:

S i!ing still for a long time causes stiffness and discomfort. The

Revitalisation System is a smart textile module that transforms the aircra# seat into a game controller. This system allows passengers to move in a playful way to help reduce discomfort and stay refreshed during a long haul flight.

Relieving Passenger Discomfort

Space to move in aircra#s is o#en limited. It is so small that movements to get rid of your si!ing discomfort would easily disturb your neighbours. During long haul flights, this experience of discomfort can become significant and even cause health issues over an extended period of time. Discomfort is a big factor for comfort ratings, and a strong

correlation between comfort and the likeliness to choose the same airline again has been found by Vink et al. (2012). Therefore, reducing discomfort and increasing comfort provides airlines with the opportunity of increasing the customer experience and thereby gain more returning customers.

Vink, P., Bazley, C., Kamp, I. & Blok, M. 2012, Possibilities to improve the aircra# interior comfort experience, Applied ergonomics, vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 354.

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The Revitalisation System

The Revitalisation System solves the problem of discomfort in aircra#s in an innovative way. Instead of reducing discomfort by changing physical a!ributes of the seats, this solution changes the way we interact with the seats. The idea is to engage passengers in unobtrusive exercises in their aircra# seats by playing a game.

Exercise based gaming is not currently available onboard commercial aircra#s, making this product the first of its kind. The most comparable product could be found in the automotive industry, where BMW integrated an exercise system in their 7 series. This system allows a passenger to do a number of exercises while seated in the backseat and get feedback via a screen in front of them, which is far more rudimentary than the feedback a game gives.

The aircra# se!ing sets specific demands on the type of exercise. Fellow passengers seated closeby should not be disturbed and exercise based movements may also feel embarrassing for the person doing them. This might inhibit passengers from performing the exercises, which is why extra care was taken for the user during concept development. The specific movements in the seat were designed in an aircra# se!ing through iterative testing. The tests included experiences from passengers and comfort and discomfort ratings based

on ergonomics testing. These tests showed that an exercise combining li#ing the legs and extending them was the most suitable while it also provides a sufficient rise in heart rate to reduce discomfort.

The physical shape of the product was developed with focus on the designed exercises and the installation process. The product is a thin nylon band, with force sensors a!ached to a stiff textile section in the middle. The ideal location for the sensors was found by analysing the pressure points that arise during the exercises. This location is under each leg, 125 millimetres from the seat pan edge and 190 millimetres apart. It can be installed in both new seats and current seats of all different sizes. This is made possible by elastic ends on the band, which also assures an optimal centred position of the sensors.

The present velcro fastening that a!aches the cover to the foam of the bo!om cushion is used for a!aching our product. It sits just under the cover of the seat pan, unnoticeable to the passenger. This placement and a!achment allows for a quick and easy installation: open the cover of the seat pan, a!ach the velcro and our product aligns itself. Put the cover back on and the product is ready to use.

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Concerning the different sensor solutions, a force sensor using smart textiles was chosen. This sensor type provides the needed longevity and precision. They are also much more flexible than regular force sensors, which means that the abrasion is kept

to a minimum when passengers move in their seats. The versatility in building custom sensors enables the sensors size to cover a bigger area, thus allowing passengers with a wide variety of body shapes to enjoy and play the game.

The sensors in the band are connected via conductive thread to a microcontroller integrated within the band. This microcontroller translates the signals of the sensors into joystick movements, which are then used in games on the in-flight entertainment system. This connection enables each airline to develop games they find suitable and is not restrictive to specific games.

The Revitalisation System needs a small amount of power which can be taken either from the in-flight entertainment system or other existing power sources in the cabin. This power is needed for the microcontroller and enables a wireless bluetooth connection to the in-flight entertainment system.

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A new game was developed to make the controller perform to its best. Requirements for the game include making movements in the seat precision based, rather than reaction based. Reaction based games create quick movements, which is unwanted in the aircra# se!ing. Therefore a balance game

was developed to showcase the strengths of the Revitalisation System. The game required users to roll a ball through a virtual 3D maze while avoiding obstacles. In order to succeed players had to tense their muscles and carefully adjust themselves to control the ball.

The Revitalisation System has been scientifically tested for its proof-of-concept. The tests were conducted with a working prototype. The test concluded that the heart rate had a significant rise between playing state and rest state, with an average rise of 21%. The study also showed higher ratings for excitement from people using the Revitalisation System and lower ratings for stress. These factors contribute to the conclusion that the innovation is performing

well and reduces discomfort for passengers.

The Revitalisation System is not certified under EASA or FAA regulations and is currently not flying. The system was developed in cooperation with Zodiac Seats US and was part of a major project course in the master’s program Integrated Product Design at the Del# University of Technology. Provisional patents are placed for the innovation.

Development Status

conductive layerssmart layer

controller

stretchy band

velcrofabric band

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Vaero Design Team:Emma Erkelens

Domenico IacovielloMax Kersten

David RandlesLukas RiedelEmma Wisse

Landbergstraat 152628 CE Del!The Netherlandsvaerodesign@gmail.com