Checking-in for new 4.0 flight tech

Industry 4.0-led technology has dramatically altered the flight experience for consumers

As Industry 4.0 is approaching, it has completely changed the perception we have of the IT industry and how IT is impacting society. Industry 4.0 brings technology closer to us than ever before, with its influence extending to every single field of our daily life.

Industrial revolutions have traditionally occurred every century, yet the 44-year gap between Industry 3.0 in 1969 and the onset of Industry 4.0 in 2013 shows us how the cycle of new generations of industrial revolution seems to be shortening.

In Vietnam and elsewhere, Industry 4.0 is now a trend and daily topic of conversation in the mass media. A search on Google brings up millions of results on what Industry 4.0 is and discussions around this topic, which can be confusing. However, there can be no debate over how the 4.0 era has changed the aviation industry.

Industry 4.0 is transforming technology in four main areas: AI, cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data – the four that have now entered into and reshaped the aviation industry in a number of ways.

Firstly, when buying tickets for a flight, we can process the order online, download the airline’s mobile app for ticketing, or contact their call centre and pay with credit card, QR code, or many other online payment methods.

This is the IoT, through which we have ­access to many different ­aviation services, allowing us to buy tickets easily and ­conveniently thanks to a ­connection system of interrelated computing devices, and mechanical and digital machines.

Secondly, we are able to register with the airline’s customer loyalty programme, saving all of our information, booking details, and flight status, earning points from each transaction. We can then spend the points earned not only on aviation activities but also in other fields of telecommunications, banking, finance, and retail, and are now officially a part of big data.

Tech-savvy customers must be used to the effectiveness of AI technology. Identifying passengers, performing check-in, baggage screening, and quickly resolving issues regarding future flights are some of the tasks AI has been carrying out for the aviation industry.

Paper tickets are no longer needed, as we can use a QR code to pass through the check-in area and airport security as well as the boarding gate.

When a ­customer is new to any airport, the map application integrated in their phone can immediately help to determine where they are and where to go, providing specific directions. If a flight is delayed for any reason, the ­automatic switchboard will send a message or email to ­notify of the change in flight status within minutes.

Passport presentations are now handled automatically, and biometric identification is taken care of through peripherals without necessarily checking fingerprints. Now, we no longer have to worry about missing urgent calls and emails, or completing important work every time we travel by air.

Advances in technology have also reached in-flight shopping, as we can order goods during the flight and receive them immediately on arrival, or have items delivered home.

Upon landing, a phone will be transferred to a proper telecommunications network, with messages or notifications providing information about the destination.

We can also have easy access to any public transportation, allowing us to leave the airport for our next destination via internet-enabled services.

All of the information is managed on big data and stored by cloud computing technology for easy and convenient management and implementation by service providers.

By offering us these practical benefits, Industry 4.0 helps us save a great deal of time and effort so that we can accomplish more tasks in less time.