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Focus on: Tray technology
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tray technology
In a bid to reduce inflight waste, Etihad Airways has partnered with The Concept to develop a smart inflight food tray
The Concept is a UAE-based product development and design company that develops sustainable solutions for clients combining hardware and technological innovation. It is now working with Etihad Airways to research and develop sustainable inflight technology designed to monitor food consumption.
As part of the partnership, Etihad will be providing industry expertise and access to its catering facilities and flights, to support The Concept with the development of the NEOS Fly+, an inflight smart tray.
A world first
The NEOS Fly+ is the world’s first Internet of Things-based inflight technology for trays. The goal is to gain data that will address the industry-wide problem of food waste - estimated to cost around USD 3.9bn a year. The technology will work as a data collection hub for airlines showing passengers’ food consumption behaviour. This will allow which the airline to better understand food preferences and cut waste.
The NEOS Fly+ tray is made from sustainable materials including PET bottles which have been previously used onboard and recycled. It will allow Etihad to track consumption of food items served onboard its flights
with detailed information around components and portions of the meal that are not consumed.
Track consumption
The anonymised data collated will be used to highlight food consumption and wastage patterns across the network allowing improved meal planning and reduced operating costs. “This research and development partnership reinforces Etihad’s commitment to sustainability and our reputation for innovation," says Frank Meyer, chief digital officer, Etihad Airways Group. "We look forward to working with The Concept on the development of the NEOS Fly+ which could support our efforts to reduce food wastage. We are proud to partner with a homegrown, locally-based startup, to push the sustainability agenda forward on this.”
Yadhushan Mahendran, chief executive officer, The Concept, said: “This innovative partnership with Etihad Airways will enable us to develop NEOS Fly+ locally in the UAE and is testimony to how companies in the UAE are aligned together towards creating a sustainable impact globally.” the-concept.co •
