SITA and Aeris to provide a look into the future of airport technology

Global IT provider SITA, together with Aeris Costa Rica, administrator of Juan Santamaría International Airport, will be presenting a glimpse into the future of airport technology at the International Convention of International Airports of Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC, 2017) taking place this week. SITA will present both LEO, its baggage robot as well as the benefits of mixed reality in the airport environment with the use of Microsoft’s HoloLens.

Leo is an example of how robotics could be used by airlines and airports around the world to improve baggage handling at airports. This fully autonomous and self-propelling robot meets passengers as they arrive at the airport, checks them in, prints bag tags and takes their bags away for processing. In addition, it has an obstacle avoidance technology so it can move around a busy airport without bumping into people or things.

Rafael Mencía, CEO to Aeris Holdings Costa Rica, said: “Robotics and artificial intelligence are changing the way airports will be designed in the future, making travel simpler at every step and improving the passenger experience. Leo, as a prototype, represents a first step to enhancing the development in the automation of the baggage process from the moment passengers check in their bags until they pick it up at their destination.”

A new world of mixed reality is emerging and SITA Lab, SITA’s research arm, is exploring its potential for airports. For this project SITA Lab relied on the use of HoloLens and a feed from SITA’s Day of Operations BI technology to introduce a new way to visualize and interact with the airport’s operational data, including aircraft movement, passenger movement and retail analytics. This technology will allow users to use digital content and interact with holograms around them, transforming the way the airport allocate resources and increasing the event management efficiency.

Elbson Quadros, SITA Vice President for Latin America, said: “Innovation is a priority for our customers in Latin America. Leo and the HoloLens are just an example of such progress. Nowadays, robotics and the mixed reality are already being used in various industries, from healthcare to engineering. SITA is an innovative company that is using technology to make travel easier and more efficient. Together with AERIS, and based on our global experience, we continue to promote the development of new technologies that drives value for our customers.”

Aeris Costa Rica has an intensive investment program to provide innovations and technologies that strengthen its position as a market leader in Central America and Latin America. Hand in hand with SITA's global experience, both are committed to supporting and developing new technologies that add value to the passenger experience.

ACI-LAC is the annual assembly for the airport community, the members of ACI-LAC and industry delegates. The conference aims to foster relations with the leaders and decision makers of airport operators, governments, service providers and other industry stakeholders in order to strengthen them and help shape the future of the airport business in this prosperous region.