Indian airline, Vistara is the launch customer for two new Panasonic Avionics IFE systems: the Arc Inflight Map Platform and Games, part of its Theatre solution. The systems will be installed on Vistara’s fleet of Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A321neo aircraft from 2020.
Arc is a personalised 3D inflight map application which integrates within Panasonic’s IFEC eco-systems, in particular by aligning it with the Theatre (inflight entertainment) and Marketplace (e-commerce) solutions, all backed by its NEXT Cloud infrastructure.
Features of Arc include what is claimed to be the the industry’s first personalised map capability, a new ‘map as a service’ technology that enables the development of applications utilising the map engine and feature set, premium destination and point-of-interest content, monetisation opportunities for airlines through the Marketplace e-commerce platform, and the ability to integrate with airline advertising and promotions.
Games was launched by Panasonic in April 2019, targeted at the 2.4 billion gamers worldwide as part of its Theatre entertainment system. Vistara passengers will be able to access the facility to play premium games created by globally recognised brands.
David Bartlett, CTO of Panasonic Avionics Corporation stated, “We know that passengers who are entertained and engaged in flight are happiest with their travel experience. Arc has completely re-imagined and revolutionised what an inflight map experience can be, and Games fully immerses people of all ages inflight, reflecting the future of the passenger experience.”
Arc’s technology is inspired by the latest design thinking of contemporary UX and high-definition gaming experiences, and enables airlines to leverage the high viewership of moving maps inflight. Arc is available across all inflight displays, including seatback, overhead, handset, and within mobile apps and web portals, and all map instances can dynamically utilise single data or multiple data sets, depending on their mission and audience.
A number of features of Arc have been developed in collaboration with FlightAware, whose services for global flight tracking will be integrated in the Arc platform to provide passengers with new ways to see air travel, and the globe, including an extensive airline fleet view during their entire journey. The relationship will further explore new features based on FlightAware’s predictive technology, giving passengers precise runway and gate arrival times as well as proactive information about connecting flight delays.