Lufthansa Technik, F/LIST and Pilatus unveil »nice« intelligent cabin divider at NBAA-BACE
Why It MattersCabin-technology suppliers are moving toward integrated, concealed touch interfaces in business jet interiors, and the divider points to a potential future line-fit and retrofit offering for the light-jet segment.
Lufthansa Technik, F/LIST and Pilatus unveiled the »nice« intelligent cabin divider at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas on 21 October. During the unveiling ceremony, the three companies signed a collaboration agreement on the joint advancement of the technology towards series maturity. They describe it as the first business jet cabin divider to use Lufthansa Technik's award-winning Hidden Touch technology, which blends touch control and content functionality into a signature design piece from F/LIST's interiors portfolio. The divider explores a potential future line and retrofit solution.
The demonstrator, on display at Lufthansa Technik's booth #4145 until 22 October, integrates the full functionality of a 14.5-inch high-resolution OLED touchscreen into the haptic material of the divider. The screen's customisable digital content emerges from the "brushed hairline dark" surface, a mix of wooden veneer and metallic gloss, at the touch of a fingertip. It shows a widget-based graphical user interface with flight information, a moving map, PED screen mirroring, and seat and lighting adjustment functions. When not needed, the screen vanishes back into the surface.
Andrew Muirhead, Vice President Original Equipment and Special Aircraft Services at Lufthansa Technik, noted the successful integration of a first in-flight entertainment and cabin management system into the PC-24 in 2022 and said the companies have continued to explore ways to enhance the cabin experience. Anita Gradwohl, Group Director of Customer Relations and Sales for the New Aircraft Interiors business unit at F/LIST, said the divider integrates Hidden Touch technology while keeping the surface's aesthetic character.
