Satellite based global positioning systems have revolutionised navigation outdoors and now software engineers are bringing the same innovation to indoor spaces.  Airports, with their expansive terminals, are a perfect testing ground for new digital navigation technology. In London, Gatwick airport is leading the way.  Designed by Pointr Labs the airport introduced 2000 Bluetooth beacons to its terminals in May 2017 to enable accurate indoor wayfinding by smartphone app.

But apps are not the only option and in Houston, Texas, George Bush International and William P Hobby airports have installed an interactive browser based solution created by LocusLabs. We explore these new digital wayfinding technologies and find out how virtual reality augmentation could take them into a new dimension.

GUESTS:

Abhi Chacko, Head of IT, Commercial and Innovation, London Gatwick Airport

Dr Paul Symonds, Travel Wayfinding

Kathleen Boyd, Chief Marketing Officer, Houston Airport System

Ariel Chavarria, Marketing Specialist, Houston Airport System

Campbell Kennedy, Chief Executive, LocusLabs