Aviation

Boeing to build its next airplane in ‘metaverse’

This Cargo company has placed a new order for 10 Boeing 777-8 aircraft.

Mark Zuckerberg wants the metaverse, Facebook is likely to have a role in it, and Boeing is interested. By doing so in the metaverse, the beleaguered aircraft company seeks to enhance its design process. Of course, it’s unclear exactly what it entails.

The metaverse is the next step in the growth of the internet. It would include virtual and augmented reality content that interacts with the actual world in ways that present systems can only hint at. Others see it as a method for Facebook to collect and profit from even more of our personal information. The metaverse could be a method for Boeing to overcome major design challenges. More than seven out of ten quality concerns, according to Boeing’s top engineer, Greg Hyslop, may be traced back to a design flaw. Boeing’s engineering errors have claimed lives in recent years, so simply calling them “quality issues” isn’t enough.

3-D engineering designs operate with robots that talk to each other in the Boeing company’s future aircraft production. Simultaneously, mechanics from all around the world will be connected via Microsoft headsets, which enable a mixed reality experience.

Boeing’s approach intends to bring together design, production, and airline services activities into a unified digital manufacturing system. According to the company, it will be implemented in the following two years.

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Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.