Air France-KLM presentation on developments of electronic bag tag & luggage tracker @ Passenger Terminal Expo 2014

1. Electronic bag tag developments at
Air France-KLM and partners
Passenger Terminal Expo
Barcelona, Spain
26 March 2014
Manuel van Lijf
Manager Product Innovation
Air France KLM

2. 2

3. 3 Why?

4. 4 Why?
• Push airport processes off airport:
• Passengers can prepare their trip without airport stress
• Airport – Airline efficiencies: hardware, software, paper, m2
• Faster bag drop: dedicated fast bag drop points for pre-tagged luggage
• Highest stress factor for business travelers is (insecurity about) lost or
delayed luggage: tracking functionality and fast retrieval of delayed luggage
• Recognition and personalization: sleeves that indicate Frequent Flyer level
• Enabling future RFID tracking at airports: improved baggage performance
• In line with other Air France-KLM and industry developments: Home Printed
Bag Tags

5. 5 Why?

6. 6 Electronic bag tag

7. 7

8. 8
eTag & eTrack combo
• eTag is placed on the luggage handle, the eTrack inside the suitcase
• Frequent Flyer member checks in online or with phone
• Barcode is automatically sent to eTag via GSM chip in eTrack
and bluetooth in both devices
• Passenger proceeds to fast bag drop
• Passenger tracks bag via smartphone app
• Baggage sorting via barcode or RFID
• Prevention of misloading by operational tracking
• Simple rerouting message via GSM
• Auto on/off switch GSM when loaded and offloaded aircraft
• Personalized device due to customizable sleeves
Technology: 2 devices
• E-ink screens
• RIFD, Bluetooth, GSM, GPS
• Rechargeable battery in eTrack, permanent battery in eTag
• Shock proof, waterproof

9. 9
eTag
• Frequent Flyer member checks in online or with phone at home
• Synchronizes phone with eTag through bluetooth
• Passenger proceeds to fast bag drop
• Baggage sorting via barcode or RFID
• Personalized device due to customizable sleeves
• Frequent Flyer membership required
• No battery recharging needed
Technology:
• E-ink screens
• Bluetooth & RFID
• Non-rechargeable battery
• Shock proof, waterproof

10. 10
eTrack
Use case:
• Passenger puts eTrack into suitcase or hand luggage
• Tracks suitcase or hand luggage via smartphone app
• When suitcase is lost, location is easily found by passenger through GSM/GPS tracking
• Auto on/off switch GSM when loaded and offloaded from aircraft
• Personalized device due to customizable sleeves
Technology in tag:
• Rechargeable battery
• Shock proof
• GSM/GPS embedded chip
• Bluetooth

11. 11 integrated limited edition suitcase
• Frequent Flyer member checks in online or with phone
• Barcode is automatically sent to eTag via GSM chip in eTrack
and bluetooth in both devices
• Passenger proceeds to fast bag drop
• Passenger tracks bag via smartphone app
• Baggage sorting via barcode or RFID
• Prevention of misloading by operational tracking
• Simple rerouting message via GSM
• Auto on/off switch GSM when loaded and offloaded aircraft
• Personalized device due to customizable sleeves
Technology: 2 devices
• E-ink screens
• RIFD, Bluetooth
• GSM / GPS
• Rechargeable battery in eTrack, permanent battery in eTag
• Shock proof, waterproof

12. 12 Done so far

13. 13 Done so far: Prototyping

14. 14 Done so far: Testing
• E-ink barcode readability testing
• RFID testing
• Robustness testing
• Track and trace testing
• Customs testing
• On-off switch testing
• Customer testing

15. 15 Partners

16. 16 Partners
• Co-development project of Air France – KLM and Delta Air Lines:
• specs, operational testing environment, customer testing,
development, funding, customer proposition, legislation, certification
• Dutch-British technology firm: FastTrack Company:
• Building prototypes, engineering, assembly, Telco integration, hardware
and software development
• Samsonite: global suitcase market leader
• Suitcase prototype design, customer proposition
• Skyteam airline alliance
• Feedback from Skyteam partners in project, funding startup phase
• IATA supported with knowledge and network:
• KLM chairman of electronic bag tag working group in IATA. IATA
coordinating EU approval. IATA preparing recommended practise.
• KPN selected as Telco partner:
• Developing messaging and tracking logic

17. 17 Next steps
Device development
• Testing, testing, testing
• Optimizing, optimizing, optimizing
Legislation
• IATA lobbying for new customs code on home printed and electronic bag tags
• Certification
Airline system integration

18. 18
manuel-van.lijf@klm.com
www.fasttrackcompany.com