Designing for Future Aviation Industry

Çağlasu Satılmış
TAV Technologies
Published in
3 min readApr 11, 2023
I made this illustration with AI :)

The aviation industry has undergone many changes over the years, with technology and UX playing a significant role in its development. In this article, we will discuss some of the technologies used in aviation from a designer’s perspective.

Technology refers to the tools, techniques, systems, and processes used to create, develop, and improve products, services, and systems. Technology has a significant impact on our lives, work, and how we interact with each other. From a designer’s perspective, technological advances have had a profound impact on the UX field. With the rise of digital technologies, designers have had to adopt different approaches to solving user problems.

The aviation industry is part of the global economy that provides transportation services for people and products worldwide. It involves many complex rules, processes, and regulations. Designers are tasked with making these processes simpler, more efficient, and user-friendly.

The aviation industry continues to innovate due to consumer preferences, increased demand for air travel, and technological advancements. Here are some of the technologies shaping the future:

1. Autonomous Aircraft

An autonomous aircraft is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that flies under the control of automated systems and does not require human pilot intervention. Autonomous aircraft can reduce the risk of human error, increase safety, and lower operating costs.

2. Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR&VR)

Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience that combines real-world and computer-generated content. Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that gives users a sense of being in a virtual world. Currently, these technologies are being used for pilot training, airport navigation experiences, and to assist air traffic controllers in keeping planes safe.

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the name given to systems that can mimic human mental capabilities such as learning and problem-solving. Some of the capabilities of AI include image recognition, video classification, speech-to-text, and recommendations. In the aviation industry, AI is used in areas such as baggage screening, thermal cameras, chatbots, flight safety, and aircraft maintenance, and crew management.

4. Biometrics

Passenger identity management is one of the fundamental issues in aviation. Since passengers are required to undergo identity verification at various points during the flight process, this is a time-consuming step.

The latest biometric technology verifies passenger identities by comparing live images of passengers with photos in the system. The goal of this technology is to make travel easier, increase safety and security.

5. Internet of Things (IoT)

The IoT refers to any object connected to the internet. Examples include smartphones, computers, and tablets. These objects perform the functions of data storage, collection, processing, and data transmission. In the aviation industry, the IoT is used for aircraft safety and to improve the passenger experience.

6. Big Data Analysis

Big data analysis involves examining large amounts of data to uncover hidden patterns, correlations, and other insights. In the aviation industry, this technology can be used to improve operational efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance the passenger experience.

7. Blockchain

Blockchain is defined as a secure, decentralized ledger that is shared among a group of participants. Blockchain technology enables a common group of participants to share data.

Blockchain can be used to track the entire process of an aircraft from maintenance to operations, store and manage passenger data, reduce costs, and improve customer service.

Conclusion

The aviation industry continues to develop rapidly with the help of technology. As technology continues to evolve, we will always need to make things easier. The designer’s task is to identify problem points in the process by talking to users and proposing user-friendly and efficient solutions to problems. The designer should understand both technology and the user and act as a bridge between the two sides by producing solutions accordingly.

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