With the world and their dog moving to Augmented Reality (AR), airlines are moving to take advantage of this.
One of those AR type things that are taking off is scanning the size of your luggage, and if it will fit in the overhead bin.
Iberia is the latest to take advantage of this, and have updated their phone app. So, with the app loaded on my phone from my previous adventure earlier this year, let’s have a look at how this works
In this example. I’ve tested this on an iPhone Xs. As usual, you may need to check if your phone can handle AR applications (note that this applies to any device that can use AR Kit – eg (iPhone SE, 6s, 7, 8. X and X, as well as some Apple iPads).
So I’ve started up the Iberia app, and for the first time I use the baggage scanning tool, the app gives some helpful instructions
The only option at the moment – to scan cabin bags.
Light it up.
Then, scan away! You’ll need to move nice and close to it for the camera to pick up some points. As it goes along, it will create a point-map of your luggage.
I’m using my work tank… I mean rucksack in this demonstration photo – and this isn’t far off some of the rucksacks I travel with. Yes, there is a battered Finnair paper tag and dnata handling tag. Don’t’ ask why.
After mapping the points out, you’ll get a message you can release the camera button, and it will spit out the results
Horray! My work bag can fly. Not sure about the contents will be allowed on a plane though…
Harnessing technology in helpful ways
Technology – like most things in the world can be used for good or bad, or in that muddy grey space in-between. Even in Aviation and the Passenger Experience field, there are some technologies that may be too invasive for some. However, by demonstrating and filling an actual need for those technologies, there is a chance that acceptance of it can be improved.
A technology like Augmented Reality can be used as a great innovator – even as something as simple as “will my bag fit in the overhead bin when I travel” – even if you’re flying Iberia.
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This is cool, and yet leaves me with that “is this really that necessary?” feeling I get from so many tech developments these days.
Seems to me a tape measure would be faster and simpler.
Or am I just old and…HEY, you kids, get off my lawn…
It’s a use for AR… which let’s face it – the use case for that has been “flimsily” at best for some time.
Admittedly, this is the first time i tried it out, as was impressed.
Don’t worry. The kids won’t get off the lawn. They already put signs up saying “look here” at all the biometrics we have in the airport these days…