Edinburgh Airport tests new Google Glass technology

UK’s Edinburgh Airport is testing the new Google Glass, a type of wearable technology, with an optical head-mounted display (OHMD).

Google Glass can display digital information in a hands-free format and enables communication through the internet using voice commands and take pictures by winking.

The airport’s customer welcome team, Blackjack, a division of Omniserv, will use Google Glass until the year-end to provide up-to-date flight information, foreign language translations and responding to general airport enquiries.

Introduced at Heathrow earlier in 2014, the eye wear technology is currently undergoing testing in the check-in hall to help assist passengers in best possible way.

Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar said: "We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to improve the airport experience for our passengers and Google Glass trial is a great example of how we’re thinking out the box.

"The fact that it’s the first trial of its kind in a Scottish airport is exciting as it shows we’re leading the way in how we interact with our passengers. Over the next few months, we’ll be able to establish whether this product is suitable for an airport environment."

Omniserv chairman Ernie Patterson said: "The investment in wearable technology will allow our staff to remain fully mobile and change the way that we access and provide information to our passengers.

"Edinburgh Airport is a fast-paced, friendly and dynamic airport; and as such, we need to ensure that we work in partnership to trial and use the latest technologies to enhance the overall passenger experience."

Edinburgh Airport is Scotland’s busiest airport, handling close to ten million passengers in 2013.