Image Credit : LAYER
Project Overview
Move is a prototype airline seat for Airbus that utilises smart textiles and clever functionality to improve the experience of Economy Class short- to mid-haul flying.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Project Context
Move is a prototype of a new concept for economy class seating for Airbus driven by smart textiles. The use of smart textiles enables passengers to monitor and control various factors – including seat tension and temperature – using the Move app, also designed by LAYER. The concept encourages passengers to move throughout the flight, improving passenger comfort and safety.
Project Innovation
The prototype comprises a lightweight perforated composite frame with a knitted, one-piece sling seat suspended over it. This innovative seat cover is digitally knitted to form a smart textile with integrated conductive yarn and connected to a series of sensors and the Move app. This forms a holistic system that allows passengers to measure and control variables – including temperature, seat tension, pressure and movement – to enable users to easily and intuitively maintain their comfort.
Move analyses data and automatically adjusts to the passenger to maintain optimal ergonomic comfort. Move can also be configured by both airline and passenger to fit a wide variety of user needs.
The knitted seat cover has zones of various density knit that offer different levels of support to the body. Throughout the journey, the Move seat automatically adjusts based on passenger weight, size, and movement to maintain optimal ergonomic comfort. This is made possible by passing current through the conductive yarn to vary the seat tension. The passenger can make additional adjustments to the seat based on personal preference using the Move app. The Move app can also be used to engage different seat modes, such as “massage”, “mealtime”, or “sleep”.
The lightweight, adaptable seat structure reduces the on-board weight of the aircraft, resulting in significant fuel savings and a greener approach to flying. This forward-thinking functionality is the result of an extensive research programme conducted to highlight and solve the main “pain points” of flying.
Commercial - Experience
Commercial projects recognises that design is the means to create meaningful experiences for users, create value for people and drive profit for businesses.
The experience design category celebrates designed journeys, services, events and processes where the focus is placed on the experiences of the user. Consideration is given according to the design context and need, design innovation and the application of human centred design principles.
More Details
