Cameras, microphones and algorithms: how in-flight entertainment is becoming personal.

(CNN) — Home entertainment today is defined by beautiful, high-definition flat-screen televisions, voice-controlled speakers, and cell phones that know us better than we know ourselves.

So when we board an airplane, the decade-old, giant in-flight entertainment screens can feel like a holdover from another era.

The latest inflight entertainment concepts aim to revolutionize the current flight experience, creating a personalized and high-tech cabin for the future.

If big names like US tech company Panasonic Avionics and French aerospace corporation Airbus have their way, they’ll soon be able to enjoy a selection of on-board movies such as tailored services, in-seat games and in-flight video chats with flight crew. 30,000 feet.

Customized cabinets

Recently at the 2022 Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany, Panasonic Avionics unveiled the Astrova, a next-generation in-flight entertainment (IFE) screen with microphone functionality for voice commands and an optional built-in camera with a sliding privacy cover.

This manual shutter switch is Panasonic’s attempt to alleviate concerns surrounding cameras on airplanes. Panasonic-designed seatback IFE screens when passengers get lenses in 2019.

If airlines want to implement concepts like seat-to-seat video conferencing down the line, Panasonic has these cameras covered.

“I believe the case for positive benefits from cameras is stronger than the threat that they could be used for nefarious purposes,” said Bartlett, who left the company.

After three years, the Astrova screen has dominated the conversation around cameras on planes, but Panasonic hopes the on/off switch will resolve any confusion.

Brian Bardwell, Panasonic’s head of corporate communications, suggests that there may be some lessons we learned from the public response in 2019.

Panasonic’s vice president of product and portfolio management, Andy Masson, explained to CNN Trav that the physical lock shown by the Astrovan model at AX “will be very clear.” Masson added that passengers will be given detailed instructions on how to use the camera.

The Astrova also comes camera-less, and it’s ultimately up to the airlines to decide whether they want the feature installed. The Panasonic camera option allows passengers to play interactive games and in-seat communication with cabin crew.

“Airlines, we want to give them the option to use their personalization components — understanding you, your interests, past IFE system activities — and then drive content that’s interesting to you or drive games. Be interesting to you or drive apps that might be interesting to you,” Mason said.

Passengers can manually turn off cameras, and can also opt out of this IFE data collection. But Mason thinks many travelers are used to it at home and want the most personalized on-board experience possible.

“In general, I feel like when people come on board, they’re really looking for that engagement, and they’ll do whatever it takes to get that engagement,” he said.

The SITA report asked travelers from 27 countries in the first quarter of 2022 how they use technology at every stage of their journey, including booking, airport transfers and flights.

Panasonic’s Astrova is set to debut on Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777X planes, allowing the airline to install 22-inch versions in its business cabin and 13-inch screens in economy.

Equipped with cinema-grade 4K OLED screens, Astrova includes Bluetooth technology that allows travelers to connect personal devices and charge laptops, tablets and phones.

CNN Travel has learned that Qatar Airways has opted for the cameraless version of the Astrovan.

Panasonic’s microphone function allows passengers to use voice commands to search for IFE content, similar to Siri on the iPhone. This, along with the camera, will enable passenger-to-group video conferencing, although CNN Travel understands that no airlines are currently looking to implement this feature.

Creating a “flying smartphone”.

According to the SITA report, most passengers use their mobile phones, tablets and laptops in-flight.

But IFE designers like Panasonic Image have scope for using personal devices with built-in screens. That’s how the Astrova works, and the multi-screen approach reflects Airbus’ new cabin concept, Airbus Link, the latest in a “connected cabin” approach.

Airbus Vice President of Cabin Marketing Ingo Wugtzer told CNN Travel in a recent interview that Airbus Link is designed to turn the entire airplane cabin into a “flying smartphone.”

The result is a cabin where everything is high-tech — from overhead luggage that flies when loaded, to an airplane seat tailored to your personal preferences.

IFE’s personalization options can include customized movie options, such as Netflix’s algorithm recommending movies based on your recent viewing habits. Travelers can install an app on their mobile phone or use the built-in IFE screen to participate.

Airlines can track passenger information and find out how they spend their time on board.

“It’s not new,” Wugzer said of the data collection. “Now we apply the same things to airplanes.”

Airbus market research suggests that younger flyers are open to having their data used in this way, but older generations may be more hesitant.

“Eventually, you probably have the option to say no if you don’t want to,” Wugzer said.

That’s a concept Airbus is still testing, but Wugetzer says the designers aren’t looking at seat-back camera options, at least not yet.

“Maybe that option is something to consider,” said Wugetzer, who noted that his team is aware of past IFE camera controversies and that any camera will always include a manual on-off switch.

He doesn’t trust the built-in microphones because of the potential for audio interruption to other passengers.

Passenger view

In the year Aviation and cyber security expert Vitaly Kamluk, a frequent tweeter of 2019’s cameras on airplanes, told CNN Travel that he was impressed with Panasonic’s lighting solution for the Astrova camera.

“I welcome their decision to address the privacy concerns of many passengers,” Kamluk said.

“Any technology can be hacked one day. But if it’s no longer a concern, a secure cover for video sensors like a camera.”

In general, Kamluk said he welcomes the idea of ​​a personalized aircraft cabin, including cameras, microphones or data collection, as long as privacy concerns are carefully considered.

“A camera with privacy controls is a great addition to IFE,” he said.

“The importance of privacy is here to stay with us. It has not changed due to the epidemic and I hope that we will make new technologies the basic requirements for innovations while respecting the privacy of users.”

Top photo by Dominic Mentos/Taylor James/Airbus