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Panasonic Avionics SVP of product and strategy Andy Masson introducing the Converix platform.
Airlines will be able to take back control of many inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) applications and add their own content when Panasonic Avionics’ new Converix application hosting platform becomes operational.
“It’s a gigantic, scalable server that enables airlines to add whatever content they want,” Panasonic SVP of product and strategy Andy Masson said at the Aircraft Interiors Exposition (AIX) in Hamburg on April 8.
Converix can be installed on widebody, narrowbody or regional jets. It supports all in-flight IFEC integration, cabin and galley operations, lighting, and other in-cabin applications. Airlines will also be able to monitor aircraft data, improve crew operations, manage cabin inventories and optimize aircraft maintenance.
“Airlines can add whatever content and applications they want, at their speed and their cadence,” Masson said. “We enable them to take control of their applications.”
New content is typically loaded into IFE systems by the manufacturers. Converix will enable airlines to add new content themselves, along with third-party content and applications.
Converix enables artificial intelligence (AI), which can interface with all datapoints across an aircraft, to analyze multiple terabytes of structured and unstructured data and provide analytics such as daily CEO and executive reports to improve operational efficiency. A single Converix IFE hosting platform on board a widebody aircraft will have between 200-300 terabytes of storage with redundant backups.
An AI virtual attendant at every seat will provide passengers with a wide range of personalized services, such as their connections and luggage tracking, status on their hotel or car reservation and destination services, The system will also allow airlines to serve personalized and targeted advertising to passengers.
The platform is undergoing certification and is scheduled to become operational in late 2027 or early 2028.
“Converix builds on the success of our Astrova seat-end IFE solution, and is designed with the same commitment to innovation, industrial design, and modularity,” Panasonic Avionics CEO Ken Sain said, also announcing an expansion of the Astrova range of screens. Previously consisting of seven sizes from 13 in. to 42 in., Panasonic has this year introduced a 51 in. OLED screen along with three curved screens of 34 in., 39 in. and 45 in., respectively.
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