Hitachi Vantara, the Silicon Valley-based digital infrastructure and solutions subsidiary of Hitachi, announced the application of an artificial intelligence (AI) based solution for airlines and airports to solve the challenges of crowd during the busy holiday season. The company’s technology aims to eliminate travel delays caused by congestion at check-in, security, retail and aircraft boarding areas.

Hitachi Vantara has developed solutions that combine computer vision with video analytics using LiDAR and machine learning to help airline and airport staff identify when and where congestion and delays are occurring and take action to address them during even the busiest travel times.

(Image: Hitachi Vantara)

The solution is already being piloted by a major U.S. airline, and Hitachi Vantara hopes to implement the technology at more U.S. airports in time for the 2020 holiday season.

The solution also applies video analytics tools to analyze the movement of travelers and luggage throughout an airport – while maintaining passenger privacy and without capturing any personally identifiable information. Comparing the actual movement of travelers to ideal models can then help airline and airport staff to identify issues and take action to streamline passengers’ travel experiences from the moment they check in to the moment they are safely in their seat with baggage stowed.