Search
  • Videos
  • 5G
  • Windows 10
  • Cloud
  • Innovation
  • Security
  • Tech Pro
  • more
    • Apple
    • ZDNet Academy
    • Microsoft
    • Mobility
    • Hardware
    • Executive Guides
    • Best VPN Services
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
  • Newsletters
  • All Writers
    • Log In to ZDNET
    • Join ZDNet
    • About ZDNet
    • Preferences
    • Community
    • Newsletters
    • Log Out
  • Menu
    • Videos
    • 5G
    • Windows 10
    • Cloud
    • Innovation
    • Security
    • Tech Pro
    • Apple
    • ZDNet Academy
    • Microsoft
    • Mobility
    • Hardware
    • Executive Guides
    • Best VPN Services
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
      • Log In to ZDNET
      • Join ZDNet
      • About ZDNet
      • Preferences
      • Community
      • Newsletters
      • Log Out
  • us
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • India
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • ZDNet around the globe:
    • ZDNet China
    • ZDNet France
    • ZDNet Germany
    • ZDNet Korea
    • ZDNet Japan

Photos: Augmented reality iPhone app lands at Copenhagen Airport

1 of 7 NEXT PREV
  • 40154332-1-610-sita-augmented-reality-starbucks.jpg

    Sita launches one of the world's first indoor augmented reality iPhone apps...

    Air travellers passing through Copenhagen can now take advantage of an augmented reality iPhone app, jointly developed by the Danish capital's airport, developer Novasa and air transport IT company Sita.

    The app allows travellers to find information about the main airport terminal by using the camera on their iPhone. When the camera is pointed in a certain direction, it shows points of interest such as shops and restaurants in the screen's view, as shown above.

    Published: May 10, 2011 -- 14:03 GMT (07:03 PDT)

    Photo by: Sita Lab

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40154332-2-610-sita-augmented-reality-copenhagen-airport.jpg

    Because travellers in the airport terminal are indoors, they can't use GPS to position devices, so the app instead uses triangulation and signal strength between the terminal's wi-fi hubs. The augmented reality app only works when wi-fi is activated on the iPhone, although the smartphone doesn't need to be connected to a wi-fi network.

    Copenhagen Airport was seen as particularly suitable for the augmented reality app because the large number of wi-fi hubs in the terminal made the locating of devices relatively easy.

    The team from Sita spent between three and four months working out how to locate devices using the airport's wi-fi infrastructure before spending two to three months building the augmented reality platform itself.

    Published: May 10, 2011 -- 14:03 GMT (07:03 PDT)

    Photo by: Copenhagen Airport

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40154332-3-610-sita-augmented-reality-wh-smiths.jpg

    The augmented reality application allows users to plan their time in the airport by helping them locate shops, restaurants and other services according to their search preferences.

    According to Copenhagen Airport IT director Christian Poulsen, the airport is always trying to improve the passenger experience, and the augmented reality application provides a new dimension for travellers.

    The system - which was developed by Sita's research group Sita Lab with the help of the airport IT team and apps developer Novasa - uses a database of points of interest with the relevant information being relayed to the device depending on its location.

    One of the benefits of the app over old-style physical maps is that any changes in shops or terminal layout can be quickly and cheaply changed in the database used by the software.

    The application updates its location every six seconds and the system is accurate to 5m in most parts of the airport and to 3m in some areas, according to Sita Lab innovation manager Stephane Cheikh who managed the augmented reality project.

    Published: May 10, 2011 -- 14:03 GMT (07:03 PDT)

    Photo by: Sita Lab

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40154332-4-300-sita-augmented-reality-nordea.jpg

    The augmented realty application can be viewed in landscape or portrait mode, shown above, on the iPhone.

    Published: May 10, 2011 -- 14:03 GMT (07:03 PDT)

    Photo by: Sita Lab

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40154332-5-610-sita-augmented-reality-gate-info.jpg

    Another function of the augmented reality app is to locate departure gates, which are located on four different arms at Copenhagen Airport. The user simply searches for their gate and the app tells them how far away it is and which way they need to move using a radar circle, shown at the top right of the screen.

    Published: May 10, 2011 -- 14:03 GMT (07:03 PDT)

    Photo by: Sita Lab

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40154332-6-300-sita-iphone-app-departures.jpg

    The augmented reality application is an upgrade to Copenhagen's existing iPhone app, shown above, which has been downloaded more than 100,000 times. Most users who have been to the airport since the augmented reality element was added have upgraded the app through iTunes, according to Sita Lab's Cheikh.

    The basic app provides passengers with live data, such as arrivals and departures, as well as advertising for airport services.

    Published: May 10, 2011 -- 14:03 GMT (07:03 PDT)

    Photo by: Sita Lab

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40154332-7-300-sita-iphone-app-flight-details.jpg

    The original iPhone app also shows information about when passengers need to go to their gates or if flights are delayed.

    Sita Lab is waiting to see how the augmented reality app is received by users before looking at introducing it at other airports. If feedback is good, the company will look into developing the technology for the iPad 2 and Android devices.

    Further uses of the augmented reality app being considered by Sita Lab include making travellers aware of special offers available at certain locations in the airport and alerting passengers when their flight is about to leave.

    Published: May 10, 2011 -- 14:03 GMT (07:03 PDT)

    Photo by: Sita Lab

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

1 of 7 NEXT PREV
  • 40154332-1-610-sita-augmented-reality-starbucks.jpg
  • 40154332-2-610-sita-augmented-reality-copenhagen-airport.jpg
  • 40154332-3-610-sita-augmented-reality-wh-smiths.jpg
  • 40154332-4-300-sita-augmented-reality-nordea.jpg
  • 40154332-5-610-sita-augmented-reality-gate-info.jpg
  • 40154332-6-300-sita-iphone-app-departures.jpg
  • 40154332-7-300-sita-iphone-app-flight-details.jpg

Sita launches one of the world's first indoor augmented reality iPhone apps...

Read More Read Less

Sita launches one of the world's first indoor augmented reality iPhone apps...

Air travellers passing through Copenhagen can now take advantage of an augmented reality iPhone app, jointly developed by the Danish capital's airport, developer Novasa and air transport IT company Sita.

The app allows travellers to find information about the main airport terminal by using the camera on their iPhone. When the camera is pointed in a certain direction, it shows points of interest such as shops and restaurants in the screen's view, as shown above.

Published: May 10, 2011 -- 14:03 GMT (07:03 PDT)

Caption by: Tim Ferguson

1 of 7 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

Mobility Smartphones Mobile OS Security Hardware Reviews
LOG IN TO COMMENT
  • My Profile
  • Log Out
| Community Guidelines

Join Discussion

Add Your Comment
Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

  • 1 of 3
  • Old flames: Products that keep the retro fires burning

    It's no fun when lovers play mind games, but there's no shortage of ways to celebrate one's love of old video games, not to mention other tech products carrying brands that once flamed ...

  • Top 10 'must have' apps for iPhone users

    I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I too many apps on my iPhone. But while many are ones that I turn to occasionally, and other were flash-in-the-pan apps that I used for a bit and then ...

  • Valentine's Day gifts: Tech for lovers and friends

    If your partner or friend is tech-obsessed, we've rounded some cool items we think they'll love this Valentine's Day.

  • Last-minute tech gifts and gadgets for your Valentine

    Chocolate and flowers are not the only options this Valentine's Day.

  • Olloclip iPhone XS clip and Connect X lenses: Take your mobile photography to the next level

    Olloclip recently released new lens mounting clips for the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max. With support for nine Intro, Essential, and Pro lenses there isn't anything you can't capture ...

  • Crowdfunding projects that left backers jilted at the altar

    Crowdfunding offers products such as smartwatches, smartphone accessories, and smart printers. Backing them, however, may not always be a smart move. Whether it be to malice, or ...

  • Apple products you shouldn't buy (February 2019 edition)

    Apple products are expensive, so it makes sense to avoid buying anything that's nearing the end of its lifecycle, or when you can buy something of equivalent quality from another vendor. ...

ZDNet
Connect with us

© 2019 CBS Interactive. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Cookies | Ad Choice | Advertise | Terms of Use | Mobile User Agreement

  • Topics
  • All Authors
  • Galleries
  • Videos
  • Sponsored Narratives
  • About ZDNet
  • Meet The Team
  • Site Map
  • RSS Feeds
  • Reprint Policy
  • Manage | Log Out
  • Join | Log In | Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Site Assistance
  • ZDNet Academy
  • TechRepublic Forums