Move – a prototype of a new economy class seating for Airbus by design agency LAYER

Benjamin Hubert of LAYER strategic design agency has created another great project – Move, a prototype for a new economy-class seating concept for Airbus. The prototype is driven by smart textiles that allow passengers to adjust various factors – from seat tension to temperature through the Move app. The concept assists in comfort and safety by inspiring passengers to move around the duration of their flight. The light and adaptable knitted seat design reduces the on-board weight of the aircraft, which consequently leads to fuel savings and creates a more eco-friendly flight experience. The Move design concept was created over a period of 18 months and is part of an ongoing collaboration between LAYER and Airbus aimed to reinvent the flying experience.

Connected comfort and smart materials

The Move seating system has been designed to increase the overall comfort of economy class short to mid-haul flights. The prototype consists of a lightweight, open-mesh composite frame with a single-piece fabric seat suspended over it. This special seat cover is crafted through digital knitting to make a smart textile with built-in conductive yarns and linked to sensors and the Move app. This complete system allows passengers to measure and modulate variables such as temperature, seat tension and pressure, as well as motion.

The Move seat is designed with a knitted cover which has different densities in certain areas for customized comfort. The seat adapts automatically according to the passenger's weight, size, and movements. It does this by sending electrical pulses through conductive yarn to adjust the tension of the seat. Passengers can customise their experience further using the Move app. On here, they can access different modes such as massage, mealtime, or sleep mode. The smart textile seat consists of a polyester wool blend – providing heat regulation, sturdiness, and warmth – plus conductive yarn. Meanwhile, its frame is made from aircraft-grade aluminium and carbon fibre. Through this design, bulky foams are eliminated, making the seat more lightweight and easier to recycle.

Move was created with the intention of making flying more enjoyable and efficient for passengers, airlines, and the environment. This knitted seat is much lighter than traditional economy seating, improving fuel efficiency. Moreover, it offers better visibility and a decrease in foam material usage, while giving airlines the option to change out colors or patterns expediently. Additionally, the cover can be removed quickly for washing during cabin turnarounds.

Pictures: LAYER