Edinburgh Airport check-in to trial Google Glass

EDINBURGH airport is to become the first in the UK to trial Google Glass, with a view to improving customer service.

Passengers could benefit from check-in hall staff using Google Glass. Picture: Getty

The check-in hall team are looking at how the technology could be used to help travellers find answers about a range of issues, from airport facilities to translating passenger documentation into English.

Google Glass is a type of wearable technology with an optical head-mounted display. It works by displaying digital information in a hands-free format, similar to what you would find on a smartphone.

Those wearing a pair can communicate via the web using voice commands and take pictures just by winking.

Until the end of the year, members of the airport’s customer welcome team will use the glasses to provide flight information, translations and answer general inquiries.

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 it’s the first trial of its kind in a UK airport is exciting, as it shows we are 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.”

Edinburgh airport is Scotland’s busiest with more than nine million passengers passing through it in 2013 – the busiest year ever for a Scottish airport.