‘Connected’ suitcases – never loose your bag again

Air France KLM to launch new eTrack and eTag

Air France KLM and Delta Airlines will introduce advanced digital technology that allows passengers to keep track of their luggage all over the world. Also, by introducing digital luggage tag technology, luggage handling on airports will proceed more quickly and with less chance of error. As a result of the use of this new technology, passengers will have a more relaxed trip.

The innovations that the airlines are to introduce in autumn of 2014 are based on the M2M technology, that enables easier tracking and tracing of luggage. The technology is built into two new products that will make a great impact on air travel.

eTrack: follow your bag

eTrack is a compact device that you can put in your suitcase or travel bag and that continuously tracks its location via GPS and GSM. With a special eTrack app, you can track the luggage piece accurately, wherever in the world. eTrack also helps prevent theft, by connecting the luggage piece to the owner’s smartphone via Bluetooth. As soon as the owner and the luggage are a certain distance away from each other, the alarm sounds on the smartphone. With eTrack you can also easily check whether your bag has been opened between check-in and baggage claim.

eTag: faster luggage process

eTag is an electronic luggage tag with two e-ink displays that can already be provided with the right barcode including flight information during online check-in. With this, the passenger pre-arranges his boarding pass and luggage tag. This adds to the swiftness and efficiency of the luggage process at the airport and it reduces waiting at the luggage drop-off. The traveler inscribes eTag with his eTrack, or directly from his eTrack app via Bluetooth.

There is more happening in the aviation industry to enable better ‘track & trace’ results in the luggage handling process. Passenger and flight information is being stored on RFID-chips that is built into suitcases.