Turkish Airlines has launched a new service that enables passengers to tell the airline where lost and delayed bags actually are.
The airline is working with Samsung Electronics to introduce the “Smart Tagged Baggage Service”, enabling Turkish Airlines passengers to track lost or delayed baggage via Samsung’s SmartThings Find location-tracking service.
Passengers can track their bags from check-in until they collect them at their destination.
Note that it is the passenger doing the tracking – not the airline.
How it works
For the system to work, passengers need a Galaxy SmartTag and the Smart Things app.
Galaxy SmartTag
Galaxy SmartTag is a mobile accessory that helps users track the location of baggage and other items without built-in connectivity.
If the bag has a Galaxy SmartTag, passengers can tell Turkish Airlines where it is.
They do this by including a link with location data in their lost baggage report.
SmartThings Find
SmartThings Find locates devices through a combination of methods, including using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) when the device is nearby, and other nearby Galaxy devices when the device is offline.
When the device is offline, it broadcasts a signal that other nearby Galaxy devices can detect.
These devices can then anonymously and securely send the device’s last known location to Samsung’s servers so the owner can see it in the SmartThings app or on the SmartThings Find website.
Change Device Image
Passengers can also use the “Change Device Image” feature in SmartThings Find to register a photo of their actual luggage in the app, making it easier to identify if misplaced.
Future plans
Turkish Airlines aims to extend the use of SmartThings Find beyond baggage management to other passenger services that benefit from location tracking.
Samsung plans to collaborate with additional airlines.
