Moodie Davitt : “ITS brings innovative smart baggage trolleys with ‘click-on’ technology to Munich Airport”

Munich Airport has rolled out smart baggage trolleys developed by Danish development company Intelligent Track Systems (ITS). The trolleys, equipped with the company’s ‘click-on’ technology, are designed to innovate the airside customer experience and boost retail spending.

The introduction includes the installation of ITS-programmed tablets to existing trolleys at the airport. The company’s ‘click-on’ solution is described as a world first.

In travel retail, ITS is marketed and distributed by Copenhagen business development agency Blueprint.

ITS and Blueprint are currently showcasing their products at the ongoing TFWA World Exhibition and Conference in Cannes.

The interactive screen allows passengers to more easily navigate the airport 

The Munich launch is part of a six-month pilot, with an option to extend into a full roll-out.

The interactive digital screens attached to the trolleys feature wayfinding or advertisements and product promotions from airport retailers, while the airport can use heatmaps to monitor movements and initiate surveys, for example.

The interactive displays also allow travellers to manually input their flight data or scan their boarding cards. They will then receive their flight information and related updates in real-time.

As reported, the digital trolleys were previously introduced in Hamburg in July, following a trial phase that started in March. The full roll-out follows previous pilot installations at five airports including Nice Côte d’Azur, Oslo, Vienna, Riyadh King Khalid International and San Diego International.

ITS normally launches these smart trolleys at airports in phases. After the pilot, the company and the airport decide whether to extend the pilot or begin the next phase.

Pictured at the launch event for Blueprint Seed Capital in Cannes last week are Blueprint Partners, left to right: Jesper Conrad, Jens Bonde-Poulsen, Karl Walter and Thomas Kaneko-Henningsen

In the second phase, both parties implement the entire range of capabilities of intelligent trolleys. These include segmented heatmapping, mystery shopping surveys, extensive advertising on the trolley tablet screens, and other useful features benefitting passengers, concessionaires and the airport.

Munich Airport Chief Commercial Officer Dr Jan-Henrik Andersson said: “Digitalisation doesn’t always have to happen in the background. These tablets help our guests find their way around the terminal while ensuring they can always keep an eye on the latest flight information.

Munich Airport Chief Commercial Officer Dr Jan-Henrik Andersson and ITS CEO Morten Pankoke test the new digital trolley