SWISS has announced plans to try using artificial intelligence (AI) to count passengers as they board.
The trial will take place on selected flights between April and June, with cameras temporarily installed on board to record passengers boarding to determine the total number.
SWISS said the recordings will be used for training AI applications. For example, to be able to reliably identify if a passenger has an infant in their arms.
This test is also used to establish that the application “works well in difficult lighting conditions”.
During the trial period, flight attendants on participating flights will continue to count passengers in parallel “using established manual procedures”.
The operator said, “The new procedure will place the greatest emphasis on data security and data protection, ensuring full compliance with strict European and Swiss data protection laws throughout the testing process.”
Records are only used to tally passenger counts and are then deleted. SWISS added that no individuals could be identified from the visual recordings and no audio recordings were taken. Passengers will also be notified of the exam prior to boarding.
The airline hopes that, if successful, the technology will be introduced on flights with the aim of “enhancing security while at the same time reducing the workload of the airline’s cabin crew.”
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used within the aviation sector to speed up processes. Last month, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol announced a partnership with his tech company Pangiam to explore ways to use AI to speed up baggage security checks.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Considers Using AI To Speed Up Baggage Checks
swiss.com
