Avalon Airport has announced that it is extending its partnership with Elenium Automation, signing a deal that will make it the first airport in Australia to implement touchless self-service.
Avalon Airport will implement this technology in addition to Elenium’s full suite of automation technologies, as part of its commitment to providing passengers, airline partners, and staff with an effective, rapid response to the current COVID-19 virus, as well to future health risk scenarios.
Building on its work to make the self-service experience accessible to all passengers, regardless of ability or age, last month Elenium announced it had developed touchless, patent-pending technologies that can also measure a passenger’s vital signs including temperature, respiratory and heart rate. The touchless component of this technology will be available at Avalon Airport kiosks and bag drops to assist in the fight against COVID-19 and other transmissible illnesses.
Avalon Airport CEO Justin Giddings, said: “The partnership between Elenium and Avalon demonstrates how quickly a response to the COVID-19 virus can be implemented. This solution will allow passengers to go through the self-service experience without touching a device, thereby providing a seamless, intuitive and safe method of moving quickly through the airport.”
Instead of touching screens, passengers at Avalon Airport will control their interaction with the kiosks and bag drops via head movement. Cameras in kiosks and bag drops will link the movement of the passenger’s head with the movement of a cursor on the screen. In addition, passports can be read by holding them open in front of a camera, rather than by inserting them into a passport slot. This technology reduces the risk that a virus is transferred between multiple passengers touching the same devices.
Elenium Automation CEO and Co-founder, Aaron Hornlimann, said: “While this is very difficult time for the aviation industry, we have an opportunity to make the changes for passenger safety and well-being that will increase their confidence. We are very excited that Avalon is working with us to ensure the airport is in a great position to rebound from this crisis by giving their passengers and team a streamlined, safe airport experience. We believe the introduction of touchless self-service will encourage people to return to travel.”
Elenium’s touchless technology is part of a broader solution the company has developed in response to the COVID-19 virus. The full suite of technology includes:
- Touchless control of a device using voice recognition (multiple languages), developed in partnership with Amazon Web Services
- Touchless control of a device using head movement control
- Touchless passport and identity card reading
- Touchless vital sign detection, including temperature, respiratory and heart rates
Elenium Automation’s touchless technology is also being trialled by Etihad.
Avalon Airport’s Head of Operations Andrew Elliott has become the latest speaker to join the line-up for the upcoming FTE APEX Webinar & Pitch Sessions on Post-COVID-19 Airports, which will take place on Wednesday, 13 May, 15:00 BST. Elliott will discuss the implementation of the touchless self-service technology, and other ways the airport is adjusting its approach going forward. Attendees will also hear a dynamic pitch from Elenium Automation’s CEO and Co-founder, Aaron Hornlimann, on the full capabilities of the solution. The virtual event is free to attend for airlines and airports and only $50 for vendors. Find out more and register to attend here.
