By
Alex Smith |
Virgin Voyages has revealed ‘The Band’, a wearable technology made from recycled ocean plastic developed in collaboration with material engineering company Bionic.
The accessory, which is worn around the wrist, will be delivered to guests by mail before they embark on their cruises. Among its features will be hands-free cabin access, fast boarding and contactless payments. The Band will also provide the passenger’s location for the Shake for Champagne service.
“Just like our stunning fleet of Lady ships, and through our partnership with Bionic, our wearable technology marries sustainability with smarts and style, which is quintessentially Virgin,” said Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages. “The Band will be our seamless and worry-free way for sailors to not only unlock their cabin with ease, but also to explore all of the thrills and great experiences that Scarlet Lady and the rest of our fleet will have to offer.”
The technology is made entirely from Bionic yarn, a material composed of six grams of marine and coastal plastic. The partnership with Bionic also includes several other sustainability initiatives, including ocean clean-ups and a commitment to recovering two or more pounds of plastic for every new passenger onboard a Virgin Voyages cruise in 2020.
“Bionic’s partners have always had a deep respect for Virgin and its rich history of industry innovation,” said Tim Coombs, co-founder of Bionic. “Naturally we’re thrilled to be part of the Virgin Voyages experience and share our mission with its ocean-loving passengers.”