Designed to sync with your smart phone using the FlyingBlue app, eTrack is a simple GPS tracking system that you sync with your flight details and put in your luggage before you head to the airport. From your phone you can track the whereabouts of your luggage while you travel around the world.
So to get a little more information on these gadgets I interviewed Hugo Rütter, The CMO and Head of Product development at FastTrack Company, to discover if this is the future of traveling.
Here is our interview:
How does the eTrack and eTag work?
The devices use GSM, GPS, Bluetooth and e-Ink technologies to allow passengers to electronically check-in and track their luggage.
How do you plan to roll it out to the public?
eTag & eTrack will be rolled out primarily with partner airlines. Our launching partner is Air France-KLM.
Will it be exclusive to a certain airline or airline membership?
No. The idea is to create the best possible passenger experience. Since passengers generally use multiple airlines, the more we can connect the better the experience.
Have KLM and Air France requested some period of exclusivity?
No they have not. We are in discussions with a number of other airlines
What is the initial cost for an airline to implement it?
This depends on many variables having to do with operations, software and more. It is safe to say that airline integration will not be a major effort for airlines.
Do airports have to upgrade their systems or just the airlines?
In by far most cases it will be the airline that will interface with our systems.
What were the major technological hurdles you had to overcome?
The on/off logic that we use is highly complex, and patented. GSM needs to be switched off as soon as the device is on board of an airplane, and without any manual interference. So it needs to actually understand when this is the case. Also, creating a robust yet beautiful tag proved to be a challenge.
Do you have any future products similar to this one that you are working on? Maybe electronic name tags?
Yes we do. Once these are in a mature stage, we will be happy to talk about them.
Do airlines think there will be future cost savings? Or is this more for a customer satisfaction and retention tool?
Apart from passenger satisfaction and retention, cost savings are an important reason to implement eTag & eTrack. Lower operational costs can be achieved by airlines in many ways, from check-in efficiencies to less mishandled baggage.
Will it be limited to premium passages? If so, wont it cause the baggage system to be delayed since they are now catering to paper luggage tags and electronic luggage tags?
One of the prime benefits of eTag is that it does not force any change in any part of baggage handling system. eTag & eTrack won’t be limited to premium passengers.
Security is priority number one in airports. How do you plan to speed up the process of checking a bag while still complying with the security procedures?
All existing security procedures will still be complied to.
Will customers with eTag have access to a different airport line?
Yes they will.
