BAE Systems plans to begin installation of its new IntelliCabin entertainment and management system on aircraft in the first quarter of 2015.
The product combines in-seat power, LED lighting, tablet-based inflight entertainment and cabin management into a single system controlled by cabin crew aboard commercial flights, says Ehtisham Siddiqui, vice-president and general manager of BAE Systems, at the Farnborough air show today.
The system is still in development and will be available for Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer aircraft by the first quarter of next year, he says. They plan to have the necessary certifications in hand in order to begin installations by that time.
No airlines have signed up for the system yet, says Siddiqui. However, BAE is “actively engaged” in discussions with a number of carriers regarding installation of the system.
Unique features of IntelliCabin include the ability to modulate power in “novel ways”, for example balancing electricity distribution between plugged-in devices so that ones with low batteries get more power and ones with full batteries less, he says.
The system is designed to improve both the passenger experience and ease the job of cabin crews.
BAE is targeting an installation time of two days or less for IntelliCabin, though individual airline requirements and installation vendors may alter that, says Siddiqui.
The supplier provides attendant control panels for the sky interior on Boeing 737s and cabin systems on board most Boeing 777s.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
