"The passenger and not the price and technology should be the focal point of an air journey," observes the head of Rinspeed, Frank M. Rinderknecht, summing up the fundamental idea behind his latest concept conceived together with Strähle & Hess GmbH, Lumitec AG and the University of Zurich. The "Sensosphere" is an outstanding example of unconventional ideas and applied lateral thinking. This vision being the foundation of a completely new concepted airplane interior created by the renowned partners.

Who does not know this uncomfortable and uneasy feeling? Seemingly endless intercontinental flights paired with an oppressive feeling of constriction of the uniform and appealingly cold airplane interior. The clinical and plastic orientated ceiling and side panels do not allow a homelike, let alone comfortable, feeling of well-being. A relaxing ambiance is omitted in favor of functionality. Only the fight for some centimeters of seat width and seat gap seems to count. The creative and innovative lateral thinking team wants to put an end to this. Already the first impression entering the cabin should radiate roominess and feeling of well-being. The old saying of “you never get a second chance for a good first impression” still counts.

Depending on the time of the day and desired mood, the cabin interior changes its appearance with various pattern and images. Soft-focus effect pictures and patterns which are supported by sound and aromas - if desired. It is all made possible by an innovative electroluminescent film technology developed the Swiss electronics specialist, Lumitec AG. "In the "Sensosphere", we are showing what breathtaking possibilities this new technology can open up for cabin designers. The glowing material can be made into any shape and does not need electric bulbs or LEDs. The high-tech surface is computer-controlled and, depending on the applied voltage, shines green, blue or orange”, explains Lumitec-CEO Emil Enz.

The whole project is based on an elaborate sensory system. The developers of the concept speak, not surprisingly, of "Zen-sorial" - with reference to Far Eastern meditation. On the basis of the measured data, the passengers now receive various impulses to their senses that put them in a state of relaxed attentiveness. The idea of 'communicating surfaces' stems from Andreas Fischer, a designer who developed the "zenMotion concept" at the Institute for Computer Sciences at the University of Zurich in close cooperation with the Institute for Psychology at the University of Innsbruck. The inspiration for the development came from studies by scientists dealing with the emotional effect of moving patterns on people.

The revolutionary concept is embedded in new and svelte tissues and material combinations which are due to set visionary trends in the conservative cabin interior designs. “It was always important to us that warm and charming impressions, the emotionality and the feel of the surface of the cabin interior transfers to the human being. Only this way he will feel comfortable and snug”, states the director of Strähle & Hess GmbH (Germany), Mrs. Kirsten Schönharting. “This way Strähle & Hess underlines it visionary and cutting edge role also in the airline industry”.

It is not by coincidence that the reasoning and thoughts of the „Sensosphere“ are similar to the “Senso”, the concept car introduced in the year 2005 by the Swiss automotive design and solutions specialist Rinspeed AG. The resounding success and the broad acceptance (it created more than 600 million contacts) of the integrated ideas encouraged the Rinspeed-CEO Frank M. Rinderknecht to look for new application fields. “I hope that our group conveys valuable input to the airplane industry and can establish itself as a mastermind also in high altitudes“.

The „Sensospoher“ partners :

Lumitec AG - Mr. Emil Enz : www.lumitec.ch
Strähle & Hess GmbH - Mrs. Kirsten Schönharting : www.straehle-hess.de
Universität Zürich - Mr. Andreas Fischer : www.oktopus.ch