Voyagius

@ wikipedia

As an enty for the Nasa Tech Briefs magazine for the “create the future contest“, a Mexican designer presented a very inventive solution for cramped aircraft seat spacing and thus also makes a contribution for prevention of deep vein thrombosis during long flights. The seating/bedding system is designed to individually change the position from sitting to reclining and visa versa. While making better use of the overhead space, the system at the same time ensures there is no extra weight compared to conventional seats and at the same time, taking the cabin design of an Airbus A 380 as a standard, would increase the conventional 555 seat configuration to 594.

Having said this I feel sure that regardless of the outcome of this years Nasa Tech Briefs design competition award (winners will be announced in January 2009), the interest from the side of the aircraft industry and airliners will be aroused to say the least. If the seats would be produced and the A 380 would be equipped with this the A 380 that have been turned over to airlines already will be known as the A 380 1.0 forever. Emirates at least should be informed already, as the Dubai Chronicle already reported on the matter. Patches will be cumbersome and expensive. And if this seating system is at all viable indeed, no doubt the interest of the travel health insurance industry is also aroused: seats that can be turned in a reclyning position in economy class are a dream of this industry that is always looking for transport capacities with legrests or entire seat rows for passengers with leg injuries. So hurray for the designer and the A 380 2.0, even if it is still in Beta.

source: view the entry at the create the futures contest