May 14, 2012 IDAIR, the joint venture between Lufthansa Technik AG and Panasonic Avionics Corporation, announces its wireless infotainment system ECLIPSAIR at EBACE 2012, which provides passenger information and entertainment in the form of news, video, audio data and flight information.
The product is being developed for the VIP and business jet aviation markets – under the brand name ECLIPSAIR. The technology will be made available to the VIP market segment directly by IDAIR and will in addition be offered to the business jet market as an integrated part of Lufthansa Technik’s nice® HD system.
ECLIPSAIR will be offered as a standalone system or integrated with IDAIR’s global communication solution and in-flight entertainment and cabin management system. This single-box solution combines an IEEE 802.11n Wireless Access Point (WLAN) and a web-based media server providing wireless distribution of streaming media to a variety of mobile passenger devices.
The aircraft installation requires only this one LRU, which provides multiple individual media streams compatible with Android™, Apple® iOS, Windows® and other popular WLAN enabled portable devices with web-browser capabilities. The system supports various content protection and Digital Rights Management (DRM) frameworks established in the consumer market and will be offered with a studio approved content service.
The product availability is foreseen for customer installations in the second quarter of 2013.
ECLIPSAIR is a good example of innovative design for the air, created using the expertise that IDAIR brings to the market together with its parent company relationships.
Andrew Muirhead, Chief Executive Officer of IDAIR said, “ECLIPSAIR represents a wireless solution, which has been designed not only with the consumer device user in mind, but also with the requirements of the equipment installer and operator at the forefront. Through our one-box solution, we are offering a unique package both easy to use and simple to install.”
Craig Depner, President and Chief Technical Officer of IDAIR said, “ECLIPSAIR represents a further evolution in in-flight entertainment, providing our customers with additional infotainment options on top of the existing in-seat and in-cabin solutions we provide to the market today. It contributes towards our strategy of augmenting traditional in-flight entertainment with consumer devices to provide the optimal on-board experience.”
Established in April 2011, IDAIR is a joint venture between Lufthansa Technik AG and Panasonic Avionics Corporation, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany. IDAIR develops, manufactures and supplies In-Flight Entertainment, Communications and Cabin Management Systems for VIP aircraft as well as custom products for commercial airlines.
nice® is a trademark of Lufthansa Technik AG, registered in Germany and other countries.
Android™ is a trademark of Google Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Apple® iOS is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Windows® is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation, registered in the U.S. and other countries.
