Hainan Airlines has partnered with Chinese start-up Rokid to provide an augmented reality (AR) in-flight experience.
Rokid’s special AR glasses were first used for immersive entertainment by passengers on their way from Shenzhen to Xi’an on Hainan Airlines flight HU7874 on 7 February.
The glasses provide a 360-inch borderless screen, 1080P resolution, and a 120Hz refresh rate for a 3D cinematic experience at 30,000 feet. Using the wearables, passengers can also read e-books and play games.
For the next month, more than 20 Hainan Airlines flights will offer Rokid AR entertainment kits. These kits are pre-loaded with a selection of 3D offline movies.
“This partnership marks a significant advancement in transforming the traditional in-flight entertainment landscape, offering passengers an immersive journey like never before,” Rokid said in a statement.
“As technology continues to reshape air travel, the future holds promises of more personalized and diverse experiences for flyers.”
The Rokid AR glasses weigh just 75g and have a battery life of up to 5 hours. By comparison, Apple’s Vision Pro weighs up to 650g.
The glasses are equipped with dual directional speakers so passengers can enjoy high-quality sound without disturbing their fellow travellers.
Rokid in talks with more airlines
Rokid plans to expand its AR technology in flights. Some other concepts from the company include interactive games and virtual tours.
“Its goal is to make every flight an unforgettable adventure for passengers of all ages, truly ushering in the era of ‘smart aviation’,” Rokid said.
Rokid’s founder and CEO Misa Zhu told CNBC the company is in talks “with lots of airlines” for similar partnerships, including at least one major international operator.”
“Airlines are quite excited because they can offer more services, and it’s very competitive,” Zhu said.
Images courtesy of Rokid and Hainan Airlines
