IN-FLIGHT DELIGHT

The use of Augmented Reality devices could transform the in-flight experience in the future, highlights MIKE RAJKUMAR

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Airlines are constantly searching for ways to improve and enhance the in-flight experience on their aircraft. Seatback screens today are dramatically improved, offering very high resolution and intuitive touchscreen interfaces coupled with high-fidelity sound and in-flight wi-fi. However, airlines and aircraft OEMs are always in the quest for more, and it is here that the use of Extended Reality (XR), including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) devices has been gaining traction. The use of these devices is an innovative approach to providing passenger entertainment solutions that enhance the customer experience and also allow the airline to generate ancillary revenue by offering additional services.

It now appears, however, that the use of AR/XR devices is the preferred way forward for airline IFE compared to VR. VR requires the creation of completely artificial worlds, unlike AR, which makes use of smartphone apps and the phone camera to overlay digitally rendered, 3D objects over the real world for a more immersive experience. At the present moment, however, it appears that Indian carriers remain focused on seatback screens and are pushing towards in-flight wi-fi. However, many global airlines are pursuing AR/XR alternatives to transform their IFE experience.

First Mover

It was in February, this year that the Chinese carrier, Hainan Airlines launched the world's first AR flight experience. It partnered with the Chinese firm Rokid to provide special glasses to passengers, which offered them an immersive entertainment experience to enjoy 3D films with a 360-inch borderless screen, 1080P resolution, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Rokid had conducted extensive device testing and selected five suitable films for use on its AR Entertainment Kits, which were pre-loaded with the 3D offline movies.