This month, Glasgow Airport are running a set of live trials for accessibility technology. The airport’s accessibility team are joining forces with Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership, for the two day trials.
Glasgow’ Airport’s involvement in the trials provides small companies with the opportunity to test within a live environment, catalysing the progression of accessibility tech and tailoring it to the nuances of an airport environment. With one of the highest percentages of people with disabilities and reduced mobility (PRM) passengers of any UK airport, Glasgow Airport is well suited partner to help the innovative businesses to refine their solutions.
Gathering data on participants’ responses to and engagement with a range of tech, the trials will inform the development of accessibility tech solutions moving forward. The companies invited to trial their technologies at the airport include:
Gazooky Studios – ChapARone is an instant messaging service using AI and Augmented Reality to aid disabled passengers. The system allows transport hubs to upload information and direct it to a network of accessible-QR coded info-points.
Hello Lamp Post – Powering AI digital assistants for any public place, accessible via location-specific QR codes, enabling 24/7 communication and assistance. This technology streamlines passenger support, airport navigation, and wayfinding information to enhance passenger experiences.
Signapse – Providing automatic sign language announcements using the latest AI techniques. Available in both British and American Sign Language, the technology provides accessibility to Deaf passengers in public spaces.
Signly – Providing sign language translations in British, American, Irish, and German Sign Language that are already recorded, making websites or airport information more accessible on smartphones through QR codes, and helping passengers who use sign language access information better.
Ronald Leitch, Interim Chief Operating Officer at AGS Airports, which owns Glasgow Airport, said:
“We are incredibly proud of the service we provide to the tens of thousands of special assistance passengers who travel through our terminals each year. The technological advancements we’re seeing today in areas such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality could play a key role in how we improve these vital services and further enhance the customer experience. Air travel should rightly be for everyone and thankfully more and more people who need additional support are choosing to fly. The technologies being demonstrated during these trials will hopefully enable and embolden even more special assistance passengers to travel.”
For more of accessibility tech see:
- United’s next steps for improving accessibility
- Augmented Reality at PDX supporting travellers with diverse needs
- Changi Airport ensures automated immigration clearance system is wheelchair accessible
