Airbus’ SPICE – or SPace Innovation Catering Equipment – galley system concept failed to get off the ground because “the industry was not ready for such a big step”, says the airframer. However, it provided some valuable lessons on how to progress with visionary new products in the future.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the Passenger Experience Conference in Hamburg, Airbus head of aircraft interiors marketing Zuzana Hrnkova said the message the manufacturer had taken away from the venture was that “it’s great to have vision but you have to be realistic and go step by step”.
Airbus launched the SPICE concept at the 2008 Aircraft Interiors Expo amid great fanfare, but the project has since been quietly shelved. The manufacturer had billed the system as having the potential to become “the first new industry-wide standard for galleys in over 40 years”. The idea was that it would replace the traditional catering trolley with lightweight, low-cost boxes and foldable carts for service.
Although the project was abandoned, it “got people talking” and could prove useful in future design ideas, says Factorydesign creative director Adrian Berry who contributed to the project. “It was worthwhile doing and some of the learnings from that will have been taken on board.”
Source: Flight Daily News
