Signify has signed two deals to bring light fidelity (Li-Fi) to commercial airlines.
Signify has signed an agreement with Latécoère to add its Trulifi systems onto the international aircraft manufacturer’s commercial aircraft as well as an agreement with Huneed Technologies for data communication electronics and software.
The Trulifi system combines energy-efficient LED lighting and high-speed two-way wireless connection with speeds up to 250 Mbps for the downlink and the uplink. Li-Fi doesn’t interfere with equipment on the plane nor is it affected by the movement of the airplane. Additionally, because the wireless connection is inside the lighting, less cabling and infrastructure are needed, reducing an airplane’s weight and resulting in a reduction of fuel use.
In the initial deployment, Signify’s Li-Fi system will be used to connect media players in the headrests. The next phase will enable passengers to connect personal internet-connected devices to the onboard media and the internet as well as interact with other devices close by that will allow for the same connectivity on the ground as in the air.
Signify said that there may be potential to expand Li-Fi to other means of public transportation as well.
Meanwhile, the agreement with Huneed Technologies will jointly develop the Latécoère’s Li-Fi Cabin System in order to port the technology into its aerospace business unit for commercial aviation. Huneed will develop and produce a passenger distribution unit and fiber optic router that will be built with aircraft in mind.
