Holograms Projected To Be Big Hits in Airports

Meet Carla, your “virtual assistant” at Boston’s Logan International Airport. She can help you get through screening.
Photo: Massachusetts Port Authority

You will find her at Boston’s Logan International Airport.  Her name is Carla.  She is a “virtual assistant” – a hologram, if you will.  Her “job” is giving passengers tips on what they need to toss and what is acceptable to carry on the plane before they are screened.  Carla debuted last week and is already a hit.  With her eyes that track you and hands that move when she speaks, she is proving to be more effective than some of the signs and videos.

She is actually a projected image whose knowledge is programmed in ahead of time.  You can’t ask her questions, but just let her know you are there and she will help you get through the security area with less hassle.  How many times have you gotten all the way to the screener, only to find those bottles of shampoo and lotion are still too large, or something is not allowed that you assumed would be fine.  Carla can help.  What a concept and a help for all of us who need to be retrained  before each flight.

Imaging walking up to Ava, a hologram, and getting directions to the baggage claim! Photo: Airus Media

New York’s three airports have purchased hologram-like avatars named Ava.  Part of a six-month trial program, these holograms will be directing folks to baggage claim areas and taxis.  All one needs to do is speak to her and she will give you her programmed information.  Always friendly, always smiling, Ava is expected to be a welcome addition to the airport experience.  London and Dubai already have Avas at their airports.  She makes her debut in New York in July.

Washington Dulles has a hologram named Paige.  This young lady is part of a summer pilot project and is greeting international passengers.

These virtual assistants are not taking the place of any current employees.  These are meant to help passengers by giving directions and information in addition to any personnel who may be in the same area.  It seems that the public responds well to a person as opposed to a sign or a video with the same information.

These assistants are not interactive, however the next generation is expected to have a “brain” and to be able to answer questions as they are asked.  Can you imagine?  This is simply amazing to me – that we can talk to an image and get directions to the nearest lounge or lost and found!  Think of the possibilities!  No grumps, no apathetic employee counting the minutes until break time, and no attitude!  I think I love these gals!

About Pat Mallett

  • http://www.thetraveltart.com The Travel Tart

    Star wars is coming into reality!

  • Ginger Knox

    I love this idea. At least she doesn’t forget her programing. Ask a real attendant and they don’t know and refer you to someone else halfway down the concorse.
    Carla, Ava and Paige can’t come to a town near you fast enough!

  • Editor

    Any one or anything that can improve the experience at Logan is most certainly going to be a hit. Technology must have a bigger place in many areas, but it is difficult to see it replacing the mark one eyeball in areas like security where reasoning and decision by an experienced operator are so critical. Even now one might need to worry about the over-reliance on technology at ports of entry where I have noted staff going through the procedure with barely a glance in the direction of the passenger. Visual assessment of body language has long since been a major factor in determining the nature of human behaviour. Certainly technology can help, but it should not lead to over-confidence in it’s abilities.

Scroll To Top
How about subscribing to our RSS feed?
Subscribe to ETM