We’re always looking for fresh ideas.

It’s why we invited five students from the IDE Academy at TU Delft University in the Netherlands to meet with our Engineering team in São José dos Campos last week.

Last November, we asked 60 students from the industrial design engineering school to propose environmentally-responsible designs for aircraft cabin interiors. Our challenge was called “Towards an Innovative Sustainable Sexy Aircraft Interior for Future Generations of Embraer Regional Aircraft.” Five proposals were selected.

The students arrived last week and presented their concepts to more than a dozen Embraer specialists from engineering, structures, interiors, product development design, seats, ergonomics, and marketing. A representative from KLM Cityhopper, the operator of the largest fleet of E-Jets in Europe, also met with the students.

In addition to those meetings, the students attended workshops and toured the factory to better understand the aircraft manufacturing process, from design to production and delivery. They have taken their insights from the visit back to their school where they will refine their proposals and submit proof-of-concept designs.

Photo (L-R): Robert Ammerlaan, Anna Bokdam, Thomas Hogeveen, Agilbold Strijker, Maartje Ballemans.