High-tech escalators could transform airport experience
A glimpse of what airports could look like in the future has been unveiled on a design website, promising to cut check-in, security and immigration checks to less than a minute per passenger.
Called Aerochk, the concept would see travellers arrive at an airport and step straight on to a high-tech escalator.
According to the description on design inspiration website Imaginactive, passengers would place their passport on the left side of the machine and their luggage on the right.
A robotic passport conveyor would check if the passport is valid and if the individual is registered for a flight.
It would then check them in and perform all other necessary background checks, using facial recognition technology.
Their height and weight would be recorded to optimise the ‘weight and balance’ of the aircraft and other equipment would be used to identify passengers and determine if they pose a security threat.
The Aerochk could even ask questions and record vocal answers, and could be adapted for children or disabled travellers.
Meanwhile, a luggage conveyor would use various types of scanners to check if bags contain dangerous or prohibited items.
Each suitcase would be photographed, weighed, and automatically associated with its owner.
Larger bags would be diverted into the cargo hold while hand luggage would be picked up by passengers upon leaving the Aerochk.
"If a problem was detected on a suitcase or if more information is required, then it would be routed to a different exit and inspected by an airport agent," say designers Charles Bombardier and Ashish Thulkar.
The concept is based on technologies that already exist, they add.
"The Aerochk also reduces the likelihood of human error which is prevalent in areas where large volumes of people are passing through.
"It is very easy for workers in airport security to miss contraband in luggage simply due to the excessive volumes that they have to process every hour."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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