IBM Tackles the Baggage Situation at Amsterdam-Schiphol with New Technology

March 30, 2011 at 9:19 AM | by kjb | Comments (0)

Collecting your baggage is probably the least interesting part about travel, and it also has the potential to be the most annoying�like when your bag goes to the Caribbean while you go to Colorado. Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam is looking to change the behind-the-scenes stuff, and while baggage claim still might not be that exciting, at least there�s a chance that your bag might actually make its way to you.

The airport is partnering up with IBM to try out new travel technology. Ever since they stopped making computers, we�ve been confused as to what IBM actually does�besides making Starbucks cash registers�so we�re glad to hear Big Blue is still in business. Anyway, the airport has run out of room, so they�re looking to IBM to figure out a way to handle all those bags effectively and efficiently.

It�s going to be a slow-moving process, but by 2018 officials are hoping to increase bag capacity and processing by about 40%. The new system will know�at least in theory�where your bag is located among nearly 13 miles of conveyor belts. Robots will also be helping out, as they will be the ones actually moving your bag about at different times. Things will all be linked to the real-time flight statuses, so your bag should never be delayed even if your plane is.

IBM is already working with other airports on similar technologies, but they�re kind of hush-hush about it for the time being. We�re all in favor of better bag management, but maybe when they�ve mastered the checked baggage situation, they can prepare some strategies for us to deal with the battle for the overhead bins.

[Photo: mindspillage]

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