Global – Swiss International Air Lines has unveiled the new look of its long-haul cabins that will be introduced in its fleet of Airbus A330 by the end of 2025. According to the airline, its biggest product redesign to date aims to create a brand experience that showcases a warm, minimalist style.

The new first-class cabins will feature natural oak doors, burgundy interiors, soft lighting and a large bed for a serene flight experience. The business-class seats will offer heating and cooling features while the premium economy cabin will have more spacious seating with a hard shell for privacy. Economy cabins will also be fitted with ergonomic seats and a larger inflight entertainment screen.

Such enhancements in the airline sector come at a time when consumers are looking for a calm travel experience in the post-pandemic world. We evaluated this trend in our report looking at how airports are bringing humanity back into travel by focusing on pre-departure wellness and prioritising human-centric experiences.

UK/Japan – After interviewing 65 artificial intelligence (AI) experts, Oxford Internet Institute and Ochanomizu University researchers have predicted that robotics and AI will automate 39% of everyday household tasks within the next decade. Robots won’t be taking over all kinds of chores completely, however.

Some 60% of the time spent grocery shopping could be saved through automation, while 40–50% of the time spent household cleaning, washing dishes and laundry could also be cut. Caring for children, pets or older adults remains a challenge for robots, with only 20–35% automation predicted.

In our Home and Family series, we forecast how tech will affect households’ futures. As women still bear the burden of most domestic tasks, automation will change our daily habits and prompt a rethink of gender roles. But access to robots and this additional free time will remain reserved for those who can afford it.