SEAT - Smart Technologies for stress free Air Travel
Overview
Background & policy context:
Passenger comfort is clearly a major factor in user acceptance of transportation systems. An individual's reaction to a vehicle environment depends not only on the physical inputs but also on the characteristics of the individual. The findings of a number of passenger surveys and other research indicate that there is not a universal optimal setting for comfort related parameters in a plane. Hence individual passengers are always likely to have certain conflicting requirements as perception of comfort is affected by a variety of factors - sex, gender and ethnicity among the most important ones.
Objectives:
SEAT set out to promote a radically new concept where passenger comfort is taken to a new level. The SEAT system aimed to develop smart responsive seats and interior environment with the capability of detecting physiological and psychological changes of passenger's condition in real time. This in turn will be analysed and appropriate adjustments such as temperature control, air ventilation, seat parameters, etc. put in place. Furthermore each passenger will be able to put their own personal entertainment and office characteristics in place.
The SEAT project was focused on:
- Creation of a 'smart seat' that adapts the climatic characteristic to the passenger physiological status;
- integrated physiological monitoring system with health alert options;
- development of a system for active/passive vibration dampening incorporating smart textiles;
- development of interactive entertainment; and
- development of fully integrated cabin passenger services.
The main SEAT objectives were defined as follows:
- To develop a system that suppresses noise overall, as well as for each passenger.
- To develop a novel approach to active/passive vibration reduction incorporating smart technologies and textiles in particular.
- To develop technology allowing healthier cabin environment including temperature, pressure, airflow and humidity.
- To develop on-board systems that will enable office-like and home-like services.
- To develop a functional prototype of the 'SEAT' system that will be an important stage of a development of e-cabin.
Methodology:
SEAT promoted a radically new concept where passenger comfort is taken to a new level. The SEAT system developed smart seats and interior environment with the capability of detecting physiological changes of passenger's condition in real time. This in turn iss analysed and appropriate adjustments such as temperature control, air ventilation, seat parameters are put in place. The entire approach has been to create an environment that responds to individual requirements and desires and is not centrally controlled or manually adjusted. The system is based on advanced technologies and systems developed by the partners as breakthrough research developments or other advanced technologies. A prototype of this new system was demonstrated to the public at the end of the project.
The work plan devised to ensure that all the key objectives of the project were included in 5 technical work packages, i.e.
- Physiological monitoring of passengers' systems
- Smart seat
- Noise and vibration attenuation
- Interactive and integrated entertainment
- Development of integrated adaptable system
Share this page