It’s a process that most travellers dread, but going through airport check-in, security and immigration could be a lot less stressful in the future.
A designer has revealed his concept for a new escalator, on which travellers could complete these three steps in under a minute.
Ashish Thulkar, an Industrial Designer from Bengaluru, revealed the concept, dubbed Aerochk, on Imaginactive .
He said: “Long delays at airport security and check in have resulted in missed flights for millions of passengers worldwide.
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“Passengers who travel regularly spend many hours trying to get through these manual checkpoints which can lead to frustration.
“We believe that it is possible to improve the screening process at these transport hubs using existing technologies and infrastructures.
Rather than waiting in a security line, travellers would enter their nearest Aerochk on their way to the boarding gate.
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Passengers would place their passport on the left side of the escalator and their luggage on the right, allowing the two to be checked simultaneously.
Facial recognition would confirm the passport photo with the passenger, while other ‘specialised devices’ would check their travel documents and validity to fly.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the escalator, bags would be scanned for dangerous or prohibited items, before being passed through into the cargohold.
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Mr Thulkar added: “Technologies already exist to accomplish this type of fast and efficient check-in.
“Other versions of the Aerochk system could even be designed and adpated for children, disabled people, pregnant women, etc.
“The optimal way to organise this new process is open for debate, but it is clear that we could all benefit from a faster and easier boarding process.:
It remains unclear when, or if, Mr Thulkar plans to make his vision a reality.
