The Crystal Cabin Award program is set to celebrate ground-breaking achievements in passenger experience at its annual ceremony on April 8, 2025, during the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany. These coveted trophies recognize game-changing advancements shaping the future of air travel comfort, efficiency, and sustainability. Scores of entries spanning major airlines, suppliers, manufacturers and design firms from across the globe were narrowed down to 22 finalists across seven categories by a jury of industry experts. Among the new categories are “Accessibility” and “Judges’ Choice: Airline Innovation.”. All finalists have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to enhancing the passenger journey through ingenious cabin solutions and cutting-edge technology.
Cabin Technologies
This new category unites innovations around systems, components and materials, providing exciting insights into the future of the aircraft cabin. Collins Aerospace has entered “Galley.ai”, an intelligent and connected technological ecosystem that optimizes crew efficiency by streamlining galley management and enabling frictionless communication between crew and passengers via artificial intelligence. Diehl Aviation aims to revolutionize cabin interiors with “eDecor”, a customizable, energy-efficient décor that enhances both brand presence and passenger comfort, changing the cabin’s appearance on the fly. Invisible when not in use, Lufthansa Technik’s “Hidden Touch Display” is a customizable touch panel that integrates into any cabin’s design, delivering an effortless user experience while maintaining a sleek, uncluttered look.
Judges’ Choice: Airline Innovation
For the 2025 season, the Crystal Cabin Award features a new category that recognizes the decisive role that airlines play in advancing the passenger experience ecosystem. Selecting from entries by four of the world’s leading airlines, the judging panel will be asked to honor one innovation with a special “Judges’ Choice” award. The four airline innovations up for consideration were submitted by Air France, Air India, Cathay Pacific and United Airlines. The entry from Air France encompasses new cabins for the Embraer 190 single-aisle aircraft that are due to enter live service in early 2025. The cabin features new leather seats by French manufacturer Expliseat that are 30% lighter than the current model. Air India’s entry is Vista, an IFE system designed to prioritize the personal needs of the customer and offer a connected and immersive experience above the clouds. “Gallery In The Skies” by Cathay Pacific puts unique works of art into bespoke gallery spaces aboard its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, using design features to create an inspiring art viewing experience in the air. United Airlines’ new digital platform – “United’s Onboard Digital Experience” – is centered on delivering a personalized experience and relevant information to enable customers to feel informed, at ease and in control of their travel experience on over 1,000 aircraft.
Passenger Comfort
The innovations in this category serve one purpose: A relaxed, enjoyable and care-free experience for air passengers. The Airbus “A220 Airspace Cabin” extends the airframer’s Airspace cabin concept to the smallest member of its commercial airliner fleet, adding XL overhead bins, Airspace lighting designs and improved power supply for passengers’ devices. Cathay Pacific, JPA Design and Reactor have turned their attention to integrating business suite functionality into the IFEC system of its Aria Suite with “IFEC: In-Flight Entertainment & Control”, giving passengers control over many functions directly within the entertainment system’s interface. Long-haul ergonomics are at the center of Comfort Motion Global’s “Healthy Motion Seating” entry; this software proactively makes subtle adjustments to positions of seats fitted with electric motors to reduce fatigue and discomfort on long-distance journeys.
IFEC and Digital Services
Seamless connectivity and personalised content delivery have become key drivers of passengers’ perception of service quality on their journey. Focussed on the needs of VIP passengers travelling on Boeing 737s, Lufthansa Technik, Satcom Direct and IDAIR have collaborated on “Triple Innovation For A Five Star Cabin Experience”, a combination of a low-drag, tailfin-mounted radome, an electronically steered LEO antenna solution and an integrated content delivery system designed to maximize operational effectiveness, project value and in-cabin experience for the VIPs. Safran Cabin has entered “Safran Connected Interiors” to the award in 2025. Using internet-of-things technology, the system autonomously captures and transfers operational data across cabin equipment to provide a fully digitalized, retrofit-ready maintenance solution. Thales Avionics’ entry, “360Stream”, is firmly dedicated to providing the same standard of seamless content delivery as we experience on the ground. 360Stream provides access to “happening now” live content and for the first time offers Digital Video Recording (DVR) capability, as well as near-live updates and highlights of live events.
Sustainable Cabin
Sustainability is a key area of innovation for the Crystal Cabin Award, recognizing an industry-wide movement towards saving emissions, reducing waste and introducing circularity into processes and products. Boeing, Adient Aerospace, Botany Weaving and LanzaTech have teamed up to enter “From Waste Carbon to Cabin Comfort: Bringing Circularity to Aircraft Textiles”. Using carbon capture technology, the system transforms carbon emissions into sustainable fabric for the aircraft interiors industry, providing multiple ways of reducing the environmental footprint of textile production. Diehl Aviation has chosen to concentrate on materials circularity for its 2025 entry, “ECO bin”. Billed as the world’s first fully recyclable overhead stowage compartment, it features a specially developed recyclable sandwich material and reduces environmental impact by saving weight and CO2 emissions. Completing the three finalists for the Sustainable Cabin category in 2025 is Unum Aircraft Seating, whose entry “Ecoprint Refoam” utilises additive manufacturing techniques to create a lightweight, re-cyclable replacement for traditional polyurethane foam stacks in aircraft seating.
Accessibility
Innovation to ensure the same quality of air travel for everyone has become an area of growing focus with in the aviation industry. To reflect this important trend, Accessibility is now a separate award category at the Crystal Cabin Awards in its own right. Cathay Pacific has reached the final with an innovation to make its Aria Suite business seat more accessible for wheelchair users. Titled “Seamless Accessibility”, the concept integrates a movable door garage specifically created to make transitioning from a wheelchair to a passenger seat easier. Collins Aerospace’s entry “Prime+” is a cabin platform system for wheelchair users that enables them to fly while seated in their wheelchairs, completely removing the need to move from a wheelchair to an installed seat. “Space³” by Diehl Aviation adopts a flexible approach to accommodate wheelchair users in aircraft lavatory areas, incorporating several features such as foldable doors and sinks, while saving up to 80kg of weight.
University
A hotbed of innovation, the university category opens up the Crystal Cabin Award to blue-sky concepts from university students. Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW) cooperated with Diehl Aviation on “Single Aisle Lavatory Door 1 – Accessibility for all”. The concept is designed to enhance accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility on single aisle aircraft in the lavatory space in a way that allows users to travel more comfortably and independently. The lavatory features a spacious layout that accommodates an onboard wheelchair and provides sufficient room for a support person, ensuring dignity and ease of use. “Ultra-lightweight Display System” by students from Tongji University in cooperation with Boeing leverages miniature projectors and gesture recognition technology to deliver a new in-flight entertainment system (IFES) experience for both airlines and passengers. Each projector can use surfaces like seatbacks, tray tables, windows and cabin partitions to display flight information or video content. The students of UDIT Universidad de Diseño, Innovación y Tecnología in cooperation with Iberia in Madrid entered “R.A.I.S.S.”, or Restroom Autonomous In-flight Sanitising System. This robotic system collects and cleans the floor after each use, and incorporates additional highlights such as an interactive screen, an island-format sink, and a self-cleaning toilet system.
The Innovations of The Year: Gala Award Ceremony on 8 April 2025 in Hamburg
The Crystal Cabin Award, an initiative of the Hamburg Aviation cluster, is awarded this year in seven categories: Cabin Technologies, Passenger Comfort, IFEC & Digital Services, Sustainable Cabin, University and Judges Choice Airline Innovation.
The finalists will have the opportunity to present their concepts in person to the jury at the world’s leading trade fair for aircraft cabins, the Aircraft Interiors Expo (8 – 10 April 2025 in Hamburg). The winners of the 2025 Crystal Cabin Awards will be announced on the evening of 8 April at a gala dinner at the 5-star Grand Elysee Hamburg hotel.
Category: Avionics
HAECO and Panasonic Avionics Extend Component MRO Relationship
HAECO Component Overhaul and Panasonic Avionics are pleased to announce a five-year extension of their repair service agreement (Authorized Repair Center in the Chinese mainland), further solidifying their successful relationship that began in 2011. This renewed agreement underscores both companies’ dedication to delivering high-quality maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for Panasonic Avionics’ advanced components, ensuring the reliability and safety standards expected by their customers.
Bobo Ko, general manager of HAECO Component Overhaul, said, “Our long-standing relationship with Panasonic Avionics Corporation is a testament to our mutual commitment to excellence and innovation. We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration and delivering superior MRO services to Panasonic Avionics and their customers.”
Tom Eskola, vice president, Panasonic Technical Services at Panasonic Avionics, added, “We are delighted to extend our agreement with HAECO Component Overhaul, a trusted collaborator since 2011. Their exceptional service and dedication to quality are critical to our mission of providing the best in-flight entertainment and connectivity solutions.”
HAECO offers a wide range of repair and overhaul solutions for aircraft components from its purpose-built facilities in Hong Kong and Xiamen. In addition to repairs for individual components, these workshops facilitate the closed-loop repair of components from HAECO’s airframe maintenance checks and on-wing engine services. Both facilities operate with approvals from major aviation bodies.
The extended agreement is effective immediately, ensuring seamless and uninterrupted service for Panasonic Avionics’ customers worldwide.
STARLUX Commits To Viasat With Launch Of EnhancedIn-Flight Connectivity Service
Taipei-headquartered luxury carrier STARLUX and Viasat announced STARLUX aircraft
has launched enhanced service with Viasat’s high performance in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution, marking an expanded relationship. The phased rollout of Viasat’s high-speed, reliable in-flight Wi-Fi service will span STARLUX’s entire active fleet.
In total, 48 aircraft, including Airbus A330-900s, A321neos, A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft will install or transition to Viasat’s most advanced connectivity system, based on the ViaSat-3 compatible and multi-orbit ready high-performance GM-40 terminal solution. The rollout will encompass both factory installs and expedited retrofits.
Driven by the commitment to passenger-centric innovation, STARLUX distinguishes itself as one of the first airlines in the Asia Pacific region to adopt and deploy Viasat’s cutting-edge solution and onboard enablement platform for an exceptional passenger Wi-Fi experience while in-flight. Since its launch in 2018, STARLUX has consistently prioritized a premium travel experience, and the selection of Viasat’s latest and industry-leading IFC solution, enabled by its resilient multi-orbit satellite roadmap, for the carrier’s entire fleet underscores this dedication.
With Viasat’s high-capacity Ka-band satellite network over the Asia Pacific region, expected to soon include one of Viasat’s next generation ViaSat-3 satellites, passengers on STARLUX flights will be able to stream their favorite movies and shows, browse the internet, stay connected with loved ones through messaging apps, and maintain productivity while traveling onboard any STARLUX aircraft.
“Viasat is proud to partner with STARLUX, an airline that shares our passion for innovation and customer
satisfaction,” said Don Buchman, senior vice president and GM, commercial aviation at Viasat. “Through this expanded relationship, we look forward to not only providing high quality connectivity, but a comprehensive solution with the capability and flexibility to empower STARLUX to create an advanced, refined connected experience that suits its ambitions and goals.”
STARLUX says it has the world’s youngest fleet, currently averaging 2.06 years old, and the company says their focus is on passenger comfort and well-being. It operates an all-Airbus fleet that blends luxury with authentic Taiwanese heritage, for which Viasat’s enhanced connectivity services will now form a crucial part of this high-end journey.
Initially, Viasat-enabled aircraft will service major Asian transport hubs, including: Taipei, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Manila, Macau, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Sendai, and Hong Kong.
Thales Enhances IFE Support on Vietnam Airlines A350 and B787 Aircraft with FlytCARE services
For almost 10 years Thales has provided uninterrupted support to Vietnam Airlines through a contractual partnership with VAECO. Thales reports that, once again, it has been selected for FlytCARE maintenance services on the AVANT IFE systems across 27 wide body aircraft on Vietnam Airlines’ fleets of Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft.
FlytCARE provides direct, seamless support including spares availability services at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat International Airport at Ho Chi Minh City.
With a presence established in Vietnam since 1994, Thales has been a trusted partner to the country’s aerospace industry, delivering advanced solutions that address Vietnam’s priorities in aerospace amongst other sectors.
The agreement further strengthens Thales’ long-term partnership with Vietnam Airlines and its subsidiary VAECO. It emphasizes the provision of spare parts, repair services, and logistics management, along with a commitment to equipment availability while minimizing operational risks. The FlytCARE agreement will provide ongoing IFE product support and services to VAECO, enhancing reliability and ensuring a world-class passenger experience for Vietnam Airlines.
“We are very proud of the trust Vietnam Airlines places in Thales through this multi-year agreement. It highlights our commitment to supporting the Airline in delivering a best-in-class onboard experience,” said Thomas Got, VP of Thales Aviation Global Services. “We are confident that the quality, reliability, and advanced technology of our service solutions will be instrumental in supporting Vietnam Airlines serving more than 20 destinations in Vietnam and 40 countries worldwide.”
GMV to Develop New Version of the Galileo High Accuracy Service Data Generator
GMV has been awarded a new contract for the development, deployment, support to commissioning and optionally maintenance of a new version of the data generator for the Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS) by EUSPA.
Galileo is the first global satellite navigation system to offer free real-time high accuracy positioning corrections to all users.
The new version of the data generator will enhance performance both globally and regionally in Europe and increase user security and confidence in the service through a new authentication feature.
Madrid, 23 January 2024. The multinational technology company GMV has been selected by the European Union Agency for the Space Program (EUSPA) to develop a new version of the High Accuracy Data Generator (HADG) as part of Phase 2 of the Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS) development. This globally pioneering service is the first to offer free real-time precise positioning corrections to all system users. The first version of the HADG, also developed by GMV, is currently operational and provides users with the Initial Service (Phase 1) of the HAS.
The new contract, with a duration of up to 45 months and a budget of up to 12 million euros, includes the design, development, deployment, support to commissioning and, optionally, maintenance of an improved version of the HADG. This new version will also incorporate the new functionalities required to deliver the services planned for Phase 2 (Full Service) of the HAS deployment.
Specifically, the new version of the HAS data generator will:
· Improve the performance level of Service Level 1 (SL1): The deployment of a new version of GMV’s magicPPP® algorithms for precise corrections calculation and the expansion of the ground station network will provide global coverage and enhance the accuracy and availability of the SL1 service.
· Implement a new Service Level 2 (SL2): This is a new regional service that will be available only in Europe. By transmitting atmospheric corrections, it will make it possible to reduce the convergence time required to achieve maximum accuracy at user-level.
· Implement a new functionality for the authentication of HAS corrections transmitted through the Galileo constellation, thereby increasing user security and confidence in the service.
GMV’s key role
Since 2020, GMV has led the development of the Galileo HAS data generator following the award of the first contract with EUSPA. Since its operational launch in January 2023, the Galileo HAS service has revolutionized positioning services, offering unprecedented accuracy for advanced applications in sectors such as navigation, agriculture, geodesy, and autonomous driving. In the new contract, GMV maintains its role as the main contractor and leader of an industrial consortium that includes atmospheric modelling experts from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) and cybersecurity specialists from Sidertia. According to Miguel Romay, General Manager of Satellite Navigation Systems at GMV: “The new contract to evolve the Galileo HAS service consolidates GMV’s commitment to technological excellence and its leadership capacity in key projects for Europe. This achievement reinforces GMV’s role in Galileo and allows the company to continue innovating to offer transformative solutions that benefit society.”
GMV has been a key player in the technological development and evolution of the Galileo programme since its inception. The company has contributed with numerous innovations that improve the system’s reliability and accuracy, thus positioning Galileo as a global benchmark in satellite navigation. Currently, Galileo, the European Union global navigation satellite system, serves more than 4 billion users worldwide, offering precise positioning, navigation, and timing services. This new contract strengthens GMV’s position as a leader in positioning technologies and drives the advancement of the Galileo programme towards new standards of precision, reliability, and security.
TE’s MULTIGIG HD Connector Designed to Meet Defense Industry’s Connectivity and Bandwidth Requirements
Connectivity and sensor maker, TE Connectivity, revealed its MULTIGIG HD connector was selected by the VITA Standards Organization (VSO) as the Next-Generation VPX plug-in module connector and will become a defense industry standard. The redesigned MULTIGIG HD connector builds on the previous variants of TE’s MULTIGIG HD product family, while bringing significant technical advances including doubled pin count, 112 Gb/s data rates, increased current capacity and support for rugged environments. The release date is planned for mid-2025.
“Selection as the VITA Standard for our next generation MULTIGIG HD connector is the culmination of two years of dedicated research and development by our innovative cross-functional team,” said Michael Walmsley, senior project manager at TE Connectivity. “This connector brings with it a foundation for future expansion and will uphold TE’s leadership position in VPX for decades as we extend the MULTIGIG HD product line into higher-speed embedded systems.”
The MULTIGIG HD connector’s integrated wafer technology builds on the success of VITA 46.x connectors but with double the pin count, enabling it to support higher data rates with speeds up to 112 Gb/s. TE developed it to meet the requirements for Next-Generation VPX and support the rugged environmental requirements of VITA 47.3, and VITA 72 standards for extreme vibration levels. The redesigned MULTIGIG HD connector is segmented to fit with existing RF and optical connector modules while optimizing pin density. It is compatible with 3U, 4U (latest) and 6U OpenVPX form factors. The advanced wafer technology will support direct termination of AC coupling capacitors and eventually optical transceivers, packaged within the connectors.
The VSO selection means the new MULTIGIG HD connector design will be incorporated into the VITA 100 Next-Generation VPX system architecture used widely across rugged embedded computing systems in the defense industry.
TE has served defense customers in a wide range of applications including ground vehicles, military aircraft, naval vessels and space technology. TE’s MULTIGIG HD 2 connectors were adopted as the VPX backplane connector interface almost 20 years ago. Since then, MULTIGIG HD connector variants have evolved in ruggedness and speed to support a broad VPX ecosystem.
Honeywell and NXP Expand Partnership to Accelerate Next-generation Aviation Technology
Honeywell and NXP Semiconductors announced at CES 2025 an expanded partnership that will accelerate aviation product development and chart the path for autonomous flight. This builds on the companies’ existing relationship, which is focused on helping optimize how building management systems sense and securely control energy consumption.
The aviation collaboration will combine Honeywell’s deep aerospace expertise, the proven capabilities of Honeywell Anthem avionics and NXP’s high-performance computing architecture, enabling AI-driven aerospace technology that helps improve operational efficiency for planning and managing flights. The work will also support faster transitions to new chipsets and technologies.
The companies will team to advance large-area displays for next-generation cockpits with thinner, high-resolution screens designed to improve visual clarity and system efficiency. Additionally, they will explore how to simplify and streamline migrations to newer avionic technologies, as well as extend critical aviation technologies’ lifecycles, helping to deliver long-term value for aircraft manufacturers and operators.
“Our industrial domain expertise combined with NXP’s best-in-class technology is a powerful accelerator for industrial leaders on the path to autonomy,” said Vimal Kapur, chairman and CEO of Honeywell. “Working together, we are developing differentiated solutions and services that shape the future of automation, driving significant customer outcomes and fueling Honeywell’s growth.”
NXP’s domain-based architecture paves the path to autonomy, featuring high-compute capabilities, integrated cybersecurity and functional safety, including technology developed for the automotive industry. It will now be adapted for aviation applications on Honeywell Anthem, the industry’s first cloud-connected cockpit system. This is a continuation of co-creation between the two companies, which includes NXP applications processers embedded in Honeywell’s Building Management, Fire Safety and Security products. Looking ahead, the companies are expanding this work to include AI and machine learning in building controllers.
For the aerospace industry, Honeywell will leverage a variety of NXP processors, including the i.MX 8 applications processors currently leveraged in Honeywell’s Advanced Control for Buildings platform and S32N super-integration processors, providing a range of high-performance, intelligent solutions that can be adapted for the needs of various aircraft. With NXP’s processors, Honeywell Anthem will deliver faster data processing for real-time AI-driven insights, enhancing safety and optimizing performance both in the air and on the ground.
“Bringing avionics closer to autonomous flight requires a unique combination of high-performance processing and AI, advanced connectivity and security, and functional safety,” said Kurt Sievers, President and CEO, NXP Semiconductors. “NXP’s broad portfolio and systems solutions approach makes us a natural partner for Honeywell on the journey towards creating innovative, intelligent and autonomous avionics that can sense, think and act.”
One of the early adopters that will benefit from this collaboration is Vertical Aerospace, a leader in eVTOL aircraft that is currently testing its piloted VX4 prototype aircraft featuring Honeywell Anthem.
“By fulfilling the promise of advanced air mobility, electric aircraft like the VX4 represent a bold vision for the future,” said Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace. “Honeywell Anthem has already proven to be a highly capable platform, and we’re excited to explore how its capabilities can be further enhanced by NXP’s advanced computing to lessen pilot workloads while increasing situational awareness. Together, we see opportunities to make travel quicker, cleaner and safer, supporting our shared vision to transform how the world moves.”
RTX’s Collins Aerospace Announces Avionics Modernization Program for King Air and Hawker Aircraft
Collins Aerospace has announced a comprehensive avionics upgrade and modernization program for Beechcraft King Air and Hawker aircraft, spanning Collins’ Pro Line Fusion and Pro Line 21 advanced avionics systems.
The modernization program advances aircraft performance and safety while also equipping cockpits with technologies that reduce pilot workload, enhance situational awareness and enable efficiency and capacity improvements. The program includes:
- Upgrading Pro Line 21-equipped King Air 200 and 300 series aircraft to Pro Line Fusion.
- Comprehensive system upgrades for factory-installed Pro Line Fusion King Air 200 and 300 series aircraft.
- Pro Line 21 modernization upgrades for King Air 200 and 300 series aircraft.
Hawker 750, 800 and 900 series aircraft will also benefit from Pro Line 21 modernizations, further extending the operational capabilities and safety features while also meeting next-generation airspace requirements.
“Collins’ flight deck modernization program provides pilots the intuitive and responsive flight deck performance needed to operate in ever evolving and complex global airspaces,” said Nathan Voight, vice president and general manager of business and regional avionics for Collins Aerospace. “The Pro Line updates were designed with the end user in mind, focusing on advanced functionality to make flight simpler, safer and more connected.”
The Pro Line Fusion avionics system features intuitive, touchscreen displays and advanced communication, navigation and surveillance tools, integrating synthetic vision, enhanced navigation and simplified flight planning for greater pilot control and efficiency.
The Pro Line 21 system provides a fully integrated, reliable digital cockpit with high-resolution displays and streamlined communication, navigation and surveillance capabilities designed for enhanced situational awareness and workload reduction.
Collins’ modernization initiative is supported by a comprehensive customer service program, including a robust dealer network and install base, ensuring a smooth transition for operators and tailored solutions that meet the exacting needs of aircraft owners.
PhysicsX Introduces Free-to-Use “AI for Advanced Engineering” to Transform Aerospace Development
PhysicsX, a London-based start-up bringing the power of generative AI to enable breakthrough engineering in advanced industries, has launched the first Large Geometry Model (LGM) for aerospace engineering, LGM-Aero, and a publicly accessible reference application, Ai.rplane, to showcase its power in designing aero structures.
Ai.rplane allows engineers to generate innovative aircraft designs in an infinitely wide design space and instantaneously assess the designed aircraft’s potential performance.
Developed and provisioned on AWS, LGM-Aero was trained on more than 25 million meshes, representing more than 10 billion vertices, and a corpus of tens of thousands of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations generated with Siemens Digital Industries tools. It is a fully trained model that generalizes to a broad set of aeroelastic applications. It also infers aero performance, flight stability and structural stress for a large class of flying shapes as a zero-shot model. This technology creates geometry and assesses performance results in less than a second, compared to the several hours required for traditional numerical simulations.
“In the same way that large language models understand text, Ai.rplane has a vast knowledge of the shapes and structures that are important to aerospace engineering,” says Jacomo Corbo, co-founder and CEO of PhysicsX. “The technology can optimise across multiple types of physics in seconds, many orders of magnitude faster than numerical simulation, and at the same level of accuracy. We’re excited about what LGM-Aero brings as capabilities to our customers while recognizing that it is also an important stepping stone towards developing physics foundation models.”
In one seamless operation, the technology creates novel designs, predicts lift, drag, stability, structural stress and other attributes for each shape, then optimises the design according to the user’s preferences. When used in industrial applications, this workflow reduces development time from months to hours.
LGM-Aero was developed using an extensive set of simulation technologies from Siemens to automate and scale the generation of high-quality training data, as well as AWS Batch and Amazon EC2 to scale compute during training. It is available on the PhysicsX AI engineering enterprise platform, which is trusted by some of the most sophisticated engineering and manufacturing organizations across advanced industries.
“We are delighted to work with PhysicsX as they develop their first Large Geometry Model and release its showcase application Ai.rplane,” said Ozgur Tohumcu, general manager, automotive and manufacturing, AWS. “This technology will accelerate the transformation of engineering in Advanced Industries for AWS customers, enabling them to bring their products to the market faster while increasing product performance. We’ve been impressed by PhysicsX’s pace of innovation and look forward to deepening our collaboration.”
“We are thrilled to continue to build on our deep collaboration with AWS, and to announce the release of LGM-Aero and of Ai.rplane. This is a first step in transforming the way engineering is practiced in Advanced Industries,” added Robin Tuluie, founder and chairman of PhysicsX. “Over time, we will bring new capabilities to LGM-Aero and to Ai.rplane, allowing users to select powertrains, add controls and further content to reach mature designs in days rather than months or years.”
Molex Completes AirBorn Acquisition to Expand Offering of Industry-Leading Interconnect Solutions for Mission-Critical Aerospace and Defense Applications
Molex, a global electronics and connectivity innovator, has completed its acquisition of AirBorn, a global manufacturer of rugged and highly reliable connectors and electronic components designed for mission-critical applications across aerospace and defense, commercial air, space exploration, medical and industrial markets. AirBorn brings an expansive product portfolio and proven aerospace and defense solutions to Molex, which is known for its deep electronics industry knowledge, value-added engineering expertise and worldwide manufacturing footprint.
“Molex is excited to complete this important acquisition, which enables us to expand into the aerospace and defense market while extending our capabilities across space exploration and other key sectors,” said Joe Nelligan, CEO, Molex. “As we begin to integrate AirBorn’s people, products and processes within Molex, we will focus on supporting the needs of our customers, distributors and partners through collaboration and strategic investment in innovation and technology, shaping the future of the aerospace and defense category.”
Combined Skills, Scale and Scope
AirBorn’s portfolio of military-grade connectors, cables and electronic assemblies will form the foundation of Molex’s new Aerospace and Defense Division. AirBorn’s CEO, Michael Cole, will lead this new Division while working closely with Molex’s integration team and global leadership team to align priorities, empower employees and create recurring customer value.
“The combination of Molex’s organizational scale and financial stability with AirBorn’s purpose-built products and unmatched customer experiences will enable us to solve the most complex rugged connectivity challenges,” said Michael Cole. “Together we can reinforce our role as trusted advisors serving the unique requirements of aerospace and defense customers and accelerate investments in the business that will drive growth and competitive advantage.”
The combined organization will total more than 50,000 employees and 85 plants located in 20 countries. The collective product portfolio will benefit from Molex’s robust global distribution network, which plays a pivotal role in driving regional and global demand generation, sales and inventory support.
As a highly valued distribution partner for both Molex and AirBorn, TTI, Inc. envisions tremendous potential emerging from this unique blend of capabilities, expertise, products and global operations. “We applaud Molex’s acquisition of AirBorn, which offers new business opportunities for the combined AirBorn and Molex entity and their valued distribution partners,” said Lew LaFornara, SVP, product and supplier marketing, TTI, Inc. “AirBorn’s solid reputation in aerospace and defense, coupled with Molex’s long-standing distinction as a provider of innovative, high-quality products in a diverse set of market segments is a powerful combination.”
Building on Proven Experience and Expertise
AirBorn’s legacy in the aerospace and defense industry complements Molex’s leadership in the broader connector and cable assembly space. According to Bishop & Associates’ Top 100 Connector Manufacturers Report, Molex was ranked No. 3 in total world connector sales and No. 2 in the computer and peripheral, business and retail equipment, medical electronics and consumer electronics connector market sectors.
Both Molex and AirBorn have long track records of product engineering and design capabilities focused on optimizing size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements, which are crucial in supporting aerospace and defense applications. Further, as an interconnect technology innovator across automotive, generative AI, hyperscale data center and mobile device applications, Molex brings electronic and fiber optic capabilities that will enhance signal integrity, reduce electromagnetic interference and enable greater product data rates.