Two industrial designers have come up with a concept that will hopefully get rid of long lines and even longer wait times at airports.
Their idea, called “Aerochk,” involves a high-tech escalator with enough sensors and computing power to allow passengers to clear security and immigration, check in for flights, and get weighed, simply by riding on the escalator.
According to the designers, the target time for all that would be about a minute.
The whole system was cooked up by industrial designers Ashish Thulkar from India and Charles Bombardier from Canada.
They say that once passengers arrive at the airport, all they need to do is walk to the nearest Aerochk on their way to their boarding gate.
Passports would be placed on the left side of the machine while their luggage will be to the right. This will allow the passport, passenger, and luggage to be checked simultaneously.
The linear robotic passport conveyor will check if the passport is valid and if the person is really registered for a flight. It would then confirm them for their flight and perform all other required background checks.
Facial recognition software would also validate if the individual matches with the photo on the passport and other devices will confirm if the passport has not been tampered with or is fraudulent. In case of a person’s denial to travel, e.g. invalid documents or a failed background check, the Aerochk will automatically alert the relevant authorities.
Every passenger who gets on Aerochk will also pass through a portal where other cameras and sensors will identify them.
Height and weight will also be recorded to optimize the weight and balance of the aircraft. Other devices will also be used to identify passengers to determine if they are a threat, either to the flight or the country.
Aerochk could even ask questions with the vocal answers recorded.
As for the luggage conveyor, dangerous or prohibited items will be checked for by using multiple types of scanners including “electronic noses.”
Each suitcase will be photographed, weighed, and tagged with its owner automatically.
Larger suitcases will be sent to the cargo hold while hand luggage will be picked up by passengers upon exiting the Aerochk.
If there’s a problem with a suitcase or more information is required, it will be routed to a different exit to be inspected by an airport agent.
The Aerochk aims to reduce the likelihood of human error. The designers say that it is easy for airport security workers to miss contraband in luggage because of the excessive volumes they need to process every hour.
The idea is still in the concept stage so it has not yet been sold to an airport. But the two designers believe that installation should be easy in airports, ports, and bus and railway stations across the world.
The designers say: “Technologies already exist to accomplish this type of fast and efficient check-in.
“Other versions of the Aerochk system could even be designed and adapted for children, disabled people, pregnant women, and so on.
“The optimal way to organize this new process is open for debate, but it is clear that we could all benefit from a faster and easier boarding process.”
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