Collins Aerospace, AIX ADAPT™
Jan - June 2023
Over the past few years, Big Dreams has partnered with Collins to conceptualize, design and produce key elements of the MAYA™ concept business class seat: the ADAPT™ user interface that supports passenger experience, and the Galley.ai system that enhances crew efficiency and passenger communication by using AI-driven galley management and sensor systems to streamline service delivery. The resulting work has won two Crystal Cabin Awards and one honorable mention at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany.
Team
Kit Son Lee (Design Co-Lead), Jae Yoon Myung (Design Co-Lead), Arvind Bhallamudi (Designer), Pheonix Gao (Designer), Laila Aukee (Design Director), Jack Lenk (Production Manager), Nick Scappaticci (Founder)
Role
I conducted research and analysis, led the design of the IFE system (in-flight entertainment), and developed the UI and architecture of the passenger and crew applications.
Focus Areas
Experience Design
App Design
Brand Identity
Interface Design
Data Visualization
Engagement Strategy
Project Scope
When Collins invited us to envision the possibilities in a digitally-enabled cabin environment, we worked jointly to define a product & service strategy with distinct value propositions for passengers, crew and maintenance. By focusing on human benefits first we were able to gain clarity on the 'why', which in turn gave purpose and reason to the 'what' and the 'how' that technology could solve. Our investigation objectives spanned three categories:
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Make the cabin experience more personalized, integrated and inclusive for everyone.
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Assist flight crews in managing and delivering services using sensor data and predictive analytics.
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Optimize operations for efficiency and sustainability based on hardware monitoring and service data.
Sketch.1 Brainstorming functional requirements during takeoff, mid-flight, and landing.
UX/UI Prototyping
I worked through an iterative design process supported by research and feedback from the team to evolve the technology solutions in concert with other cabin interior components as an integrated ecosystem. Our initial work used scenario-based storytelling and interface design to prototype use cases for InteliSence™, an AI/ML system that anticipates passenger needs in real time. A functional prototype of this system won a 2023 Crystal Cabin Award in the Passenger Comfort category.
In the next version we dove deeper into personalization of the passenger experience through the ADAPT™ system, empowering travelers to enjoy a range of mobility, sensory, cognitive and language accommodations through this platform. At this stage we partnered with the Institute for Human Centered Design to provide subject matter expertise on inclusive design and accessibility of the user interface. They helped the us go deeper, beyond baseline legibility standards, to consider issues of cognitive complexity, the effects of color and lighting on stress management, and practical implementation of American Sign Language interpretation. John Morris, accessible travel advocate and founder of wheelchairtravel.org, advised on designing solutions for scenarios that matter most to people with mobility issues and age related difficulties, where digital systems can support physical service delivery.
Sketch.2 Overall interface prototypes of passenger app, crew app and IFE screens.
Sketch.3 Screens for crew application.
Sketch.4 Prototypes for seat and media controls.
Crew Application
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Screen.1-9 Interface for crew application to manage and service passenger requests.
Img.1 Mockup of how accessibility is integrated through sign language translation.
IFE Screens
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Screen.10 Landing screen for seat-mounted IFE.
Screen.11 Seat control, and display and sound control on IFE.
Galley Management AI
The latest version of this, Collins Aerospace galley.ai, further enhances crew efficiency and passenger communication by using AI-driven galley management and sensor systems to streamline onboard meal service preparation, monitor equipment safety and maintenance issues, and improve flight experiences.
"We're essentially creating an intelligent assistant that works alongside cabin crew to streamline their most demanding tasks," explains Jeff McKee, who leads the Customer Experience Design group. "The goal is to create a smoother and more effective work environment for crew."
Img.2,3 Aircraft galley and inventory section, equipped with camera sensing and automation.
Multimedia and Communications Plan
Balancing creative writing with technical information was done in parallel with the assisting the design team with layouts, visual graphics, imagery and interactions. The communications strategy and website were refined, tested and launched in June 2024.
Outcomes
We partnered with OCTO Product Development to build a functioning prototype that integrates galley equipment, crew tools, and cabin interfaces, along with the passenger communication platform. The system tracks orders and inventory in real time, enables dynamic service updates, and provides direct information to passengers throughout the flight. Galley.ai won the 2025 Cystal Cabin Award in the Cabin Technologies category.
“The jury was particularly impressed by the ability of galley.ai to integrate multiple information streams, system modules and components, harnessing AI in a way that lowers crew workload.” — Angus Baigent, Crystal Cabin Award
Img.4 Winners of Crystal Cabin Award 2025.