Essential Daifuku Technologies for Social InfrastructureStreamlining Baggage Checking at Airports with Daifuku Technologies
To address the rising issue of workforce shortages at airports, Daifuku offers various solutions that improve both operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction. This article introduces two such systems: the compact Drop-UX T self-service bag drop, an automated baggage check machine which prevents congestion at check-in counters, and the Bag-UX system, which uses AI cameras to ensure smooth baggage transportation within the airport.
Reducing congestion at check-in through self-service solutions
Adoption of self-service bag drops has been steadily increasing, particularly at larger airports. To meet the diverse needs of airports and airlines, Daifuku offers six self-service bag drop systems with varying functions and sizes. The Drop-UX T, a compact baggage tag activation system, can be easily introduced at small and medium-sized airports. Using this system together with self-check-in kiosks allows passengers to check their bags smoothly without having to line up at a counter.
After receiving a baggage tag at the self-check-in kiosk, passengers can scan their boarding pass with the Drop-UX T, weigh their baggage, register the baggage tag with the handheld scanner, and then submit their bag for inspection.
Scan boarding pass.
Register the baggage tag using the handheld scanner.
Receive a baggage voucher and hand the bag over to airport staff.
As Masanori Fujihara of the Airport Division’s Project Department explains, “This space-saving system is easy to set up near staffed counters, reducing the number of staff needed for check-ins and helping to ease congestion.” Conventional baggage checking and check-in often take several minutes per person, causing long wait times at check-in counters. One airline using the Drop-UX T system, however, was able to reduce baggage check times to an average of just 12 seconds, greatly improving passenger satisfaction.
Preventing baggage handling issues with AI cameras
Daifuku’s Bag-UX system, on the other hand, uses built-in cameras and AI technology to analyze the shapes of bags as soon as they are placed on the conveyor leading into the airport. The Bag-UX system detects potential problems such as exposed suitcase handles and multiple articles packed tightly together and triggers an alarm, or automatically stops the conveyor, to prevent jams or damage.
If bags are not transported in the right orientation or condition, they can clog conveyors and cause flight delays. Staff can easily review detected problems on the Bag-UX’s touch display and adjust baggage as needed before larger issues occur.
AI technology is used to analyze the shapes of bags.
Staff can easily review detected problems on the touch display.
“In addition to ensuring smooth transportation of bags and helping to prevent damage and jams, the Bag-UX also ensures worker safety by preventing risks such as becoming caught in the conveyor,” adds Fujihara.
Daifuku is dedicated to developing and proposing self-service solutions for smart airports to reduce the burden of airport staff and meet future aviation demands. For more information and other articles on Daifuku’s airport-related solutions, please visit the pages below.