【1986 Archives】

986 Archivesworld's best airport is getting an augmented reality upgrade.

Passengers at Singapore's Changi airport could soon see shorter waiting times for their flights, with the airport's latest introduction of AR for its ground crew.

SEE ALSO: Apple's already winning the augmented reality wars against Google

Touted as the world's first use of AR in ramp handling, the technology comes in the form of a pair of smart glasses, which will provide instructions to staff.

For example, a ground handler loading cargo onto a plane can now "see" and scan a virtual QR code displayed on cargo or baggage containers, and through the glasses instantly view the details of its weight, loading sequence and allocated position within the aircraft.

Oh, and it's hella futuristic.

Via Giphy

Cameras installed in the glasses will also allow control centre staff to monitor what the handlers see in real-time.

The company deploying the set up is SATS, Changi Airport's main ground handling firm.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

It commissioned the smart glasses from hardware maker Vuzix, and the custom software was created by AR design firm, Eon Reality.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

According to SATS, the new process could see loading times cut from 60 minutes to just 45 minutes -- leading to shorter waiting times for passengers, and shorten transit times for airfreight shippers.

"Currently we have challenges [such as] limited real time information, we use manual loading instructions [in the form of paper reports] and are limited to walkie-talkies, [which] may be loud and hard to hear [with loud background noises]," said Kevin Chin, Vice President of Projects at SATS.

The glasses have their limitations, however.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

For one, each set of glasses can last only an hour when fully charged. Handlers have to carry around an extra battery pack that can charge the AR glasses for up to five hours.

This means the glasses could at best last for six hours of a typical eight hour work shift.

It also takes a bit of getting used to, with SATS revealing that its crew members took an average of one week to get used to the glasses.

Some 600 of SATS' staff are currently undergoing AR training, and the company hopes that the smart glasses will be fully implemented by mid 2018.

---

Featured Video For You

---

Dell made a VR headset that looks slick and feels amazing

---

Topics Augmented Reality Virtual Reality

• Social Good
• Tech
• Games
• Shopping
• Life
• Digital Culture
• Entertainment
• Science

• Google's data center raises the stakes in this state's 'water wars'
• 'Fallout' gives a major 'New Vegas' hint in the finale
• Geely’s EV brand Zeekr enters the Kazakhstan market · TechNode
• Meta tests tools to protect teens from sextortion and unwanted nude photos
• Fritz vs. Monfils 2025 livestream: Watch Australian Open for free
• Lyrid meteor shower in 2024: How to see it despite the bright moon
• How to unpair an Apple Watch: Resetting your smartwatch in a few simple steps
• TikTok in talks with Indonesia’s central bank for payments license · TechNode
• Blockchain Explained: How It Works, Who Cares and What Its Future May Hold
• Blue Origin launches rocket to space in extreme test of crew capsule

• Ariana Grande’s new tattoo has a hilarious misspelling
• 'Empire' star Jussie Smollett releases statement after attack
• Moving to a different city or country can be lonely. Here are some things that helped me cope.
• Aloe Bud is a self
• Enjoy this animated version of Tom DeLonge's children's book about a naked guy
• Furloughed ranger starts making videos of the parks for the public
• Here's what's up with Ashton Kutcher tweeting out his phone number
• Disney's 'Obi
• All the times Queen Elizabeth II was portrayed in movies
• TikTok isn't Vine, but it's a beautiful mess all its own

• Elon Musk told Donald Trump what to do about the Paris Climate Agreement
• iFlytek introduces next
• How to clean your sex toys
• Humane Ai Pin reviews: Top 5 common complaints about the 'smartphone killer'
• The 12 Best Games on the iPhone
• Geely’s EV brand Zeekr enters the Kazakhstan market · TechNode
• Elon Musk tweets that he's going to help with Flint water crisis
• Li Auto launches cheaper Pro version of L9 crossover · TechNode
• Use Your Gaming Laptop and Play On Battery Power? Is It Possible?
• Antfin sells 10.3% of $628 million Paytm stake to company’s CEO · TechNode

• Lehecka vs. Dimitrov 2025 livestream: Watch Brisbane International for free
• Learn about the O.J. Simpson trial from CNN's ancient '90s website
• Bear cub is killed by a dominant male on Alaska's bear cam
• Sony PS5 Pro may opt for cheaper N4P chip amid TSMC production concerns · TechNode
• A hedgehog blown up 'like a beach ball' was popped in life
• Elon Musk tweets that he's going to help with Flint water crisis
• Google Photos is making its AI photo editing tools available for all users
• Your internet service provider now has to provide you with a 'nutrition label'
• Best smart scale deal: Save over $25 on Renpho Smart Scale
• BYD hires former Baidu, Horizon Robotics engineer to make EVs more intelligent · TechNode