Picture this: You're at the airport and a robot is guiding you to your gate. You walk past another bot that's breakdancing, to the delight (or despair) of passengers waiting for a delayed flight.
Up ahead, someone speeds along in an autonomous single-rider vehicle. Before hopping on your flight, you fill up your water bottle -- which also tracks your water intake.
This scene could someday become a reality, at least in part. At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, I explored an exhibit showcasing several futuristic applications looking to inject airports with a little more tech. The goal is to make the entire passenger journey, from check-in to boarding to the in-flight experience, more efficient and less stressful.
These robots can guide you around the airport or provide entertainment -- if you're a fan of dancing bots. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET
Robotics company AGiBot showed off two of its humanoids. The full-size A2 Series can help you check in for your flight and guide you around the airport. The more compact X2 series bots are designed for "entertainment." During our demo, that meant busting out some fascinating robotic dance moves. You can currently see the bots in action at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.
Passengers can add their flight information in the BagID app and get a digital baggage tag. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET
One of the biggest airport nightmares is dealing with lost luggage. Thankfully, trackers like the AirTag and Tile can help you keep tabs on your bag, but it's not always easy to share location information with airlines (though that is changing). A digital baggage tag from BagID makes it easier for both passengers and airlines to know exactly where your luggage is.
When you fly with a partner airline, you can add your flight information into the BagID app, and it'll then display the digital tag information on your BagID device. As a certified third-party accessory for Apple and Samsung, you can use Apple's Find My and Samsung's SmartThings Find to follow its location.
BagID uses an E Ink display and has a durable plastic casing, which should keep it in one piece as your bag is tossed around. It's powered by a lithium ion battery that's under 2.7Wh, to comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The battery can last around one year with tracking or two years without tracking enabled. BagID costs about $238.
Alba Ride's autonomous vehicles can display directions on the front. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET
... continue reading