The Moscow Aviation Institute has developed an intelligent centralized locking system for passenger aircraft overhead bins. The system can be activated during critical flight moments, reducing the risk of injuries during turbulence and emergency situations. The project was created by student Anastasia Sinitsyna at the Department of Electrical Power and Electromechanical Systems.

The main idea behind the development is to eliminate the vulnerability of standard mechanical latches, which do not allow the crew to simultaneously control all baggage compartments. The new system provides the ability to centrally secure the bins, preventing their spontaneous opening during vibrations, overloads, and turbulent flows.

The solution is based on a pulsed electromechanical lock. Unlike continuously powered electromagnetic counterparts, it consumes energy only at the moment of state change – opening or locking. This solution reduces the load on the onboard electrical network and makes the system more energy-efficient and resistant to operational limitations of aviation equipment.

The author of the development specifies that the system can be useful not only in normal operation but also in abnormal scenarios. In particular, it can accelerate the organization of space in the cabin during evacuation, reducing the risk of blocked aisles by luggage and increasing the predictability of crew actions.

Currently, the research part of the project has been completed. The next stage is the manufacturing of a prototype and conducting tests. The institute notes that the development can be implemented both in new aircraft models and in the modernization of already operated liners, making it a potentially universal solution for the aviation industry.