Introduction of the artificial intelligence enabled Airbus Food Scanner
1How can more precise tracking of in-flight catering – from meal and beverage service to the collection and disposal of waste – lead to more sustainable air travel?
Airbus’ highly innovative digital solution to this challenge includes the automatic capture of data for passengers' onboard meal consumption, along with tracing the amount of unused food and drinks that remain. By integrating such information in an artificial intelligence-driven system, airlines could optimise their catering services and better manage the after-meal disposal – leading to a potential for double-digit reductions in their CO2 emissions through weight reductions and fuel savings.
Elements of this solution have undergone initial evaluations in realistic conditions aboard the Airspace Explorer – a dedicated cross-programme flight test platform that Airbus utilises to test and demonstrate new innovations for future aircraft cabins.
The volume of airline cabin waste is expected to double by 2030
“The numbers speak for themselves: an estimated 1.43 kilograms of cabin waste is generated by each passenger per flight, of which more than 20 percent is represented by untouched food and drinks,” explained Michael Bauer, an Airbus Cabin and Cargo Architect. “The situation becomes more critical with the prediction that overall airline cabin waste – which totalled 6.1 million tonnes in in 2018 – is expected to double by 2030.” Source IATA survey issued in 2021.
IATA survey issued in 2021Key to Airbus’ solution for the tracking and controlling of in-flight catering is the Food Scanner, an artificial intelligence-enabled device that analyses the composition of food in a simple point-and-shoot process. It uses the same principle as scanners that are increasingly available in supermarkets today.