Eye-tracking IFE systems open up virtual cabin space

摘要

Design of physical fittings such as seating and overhead storage bins may be reaching the limit of efficiency, but the quest to provide passengers with more room in the cabin is far from over - with the opening up of virtual space. By integrating eye tracking, gesture control and voice command control technologies into an in-flight entertainment (IFE) interface, Panasonic believes it can use electronics to enlarge passengers' onboard environment. Some of this improvement comes in actual physical space, by eliminating the need for control hardware. But much of the benefit is in perceived space, created by allowing passengers to explore virtual environments, both real and artificial. Particularly promising is eye tracking, which allows users to navigate digital landscapes simply by looking at different parts of the screen, as their eyes are tracked by camera. The IFE system provider's demonstration model at the recent Aircraft Interiors Expo 2012 in Hamburg allowed users to roam around a variety of settings such as their arrival airport and city, views from around the aircraft or a virtual meadow.