Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is going digital in a big way by incorporating Internet of Things (IoT) applications, Artificial Intelligence and Data Analysis. Towards this end, the Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) has struck a deal with Siemens Postal, Parcel and Airport Logistics (SPPAL).
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will boost passenger experience and operational efficiency, says a BIAL statement. The existing infrastructure will be digitally transformed through extensive use of IoT.
The solutions rest on MindSphere, the open cloud-based IoT operating system from Siemens, which will work with BIAL in simplifying processes and increasing efficiency. KIA is currently India's third busiest airport, having handled over 25 million passengers in 2017.
BIAL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) said, “Our aim is to introduce more digitally advanced, innovative services and products at KIA to ensure that passengers and partners have the advantage of future forward technologies, in a seamless operating environment.”
A key objective of the Siemens-BIAL collaboration is the standardised, secure real-time exchange of quality-assured data. The measure is designed to increase transparency and thus improve processes between the various stakeholders at the Airport, the release said.
Baggage handling
The collaboration is expected to propel the implementation of innovative service methods for the baggage handling system installed by Siemens at KIA. “Predictive maintenance, for instance, will allow system availability to be increased and spare parts management to be optimized.”
The airport had opened for operations in 2008. Siemens had provided partial funding and played a key role in erecting the terminal on a turnkey basis in its role as the general contractor.