Materna IPS has developed a solution that allows passengers to operate self bag drop units (SBDs) with their smartphone. The new technology, Touchless.Connect, helps reduce current challenges within the industry caused by the global pandemic forcing airports and airlines to resort to alternatives.
Touchless.Connect is easy to implement on the existing self-service devices and doesn’t change the familiar airport experience. By scanning a QR code on the kiosk screen with their own smartphone, passengers are redirected to a Materna IPS hosted website replicating the display of the actual SBD on the smartphone. While the passenger process remains the same, travellers don’t actually need to physically interact with the kiosk. Therefore, the risk of infection by coming in contact with potentially contaminated surfaces is minimised resulting in a safe travel experience for the passenger.
The software-based approach allows remote installation and easy integration into existing airport environment, additional hardware solutions are not required.
Depending on the infrastructure, retrofit SBD’s usually rely on passenger interaction for manual bag tag scanning. Touchless.Connect allows passengers to simply use their smartphone as a bag tag scanner and reduces the touchpoints at the airport.
Since Touchless.Connect is based on a web browser, there’s no need to download an app or activate Bluetooth. Materna IPS have focused on making the solution beneficial for both airport and passenger by developing a cost-efficient and user-friendly feature. By supporting multiple airline applications, the solution proves to be extremely flexible in practice, so the airport process remains the same.
Touchless.Connect can help airlines and airports to regain their passengers’ trust by guaranteeing a safe passenger journey from check-in to departure. It allows them to maintain high hygiene standards even with rising passenger traffic. The aviation industry needs this innovative technology to help pave the way for a new normal while making travel safe and reliable again.