Alice Roberson

Dubai International Airport is currently one of the busiest airports in the world, the city itself a booming metropolis of architecture, media, and technology. Within the city exists a free zone named Internet City, a place that draws clients like Microsoft and allows the free use of the internet in an otherwise regulated city.

Dubai does it's best to be the very best--a shiny, western, innovative, techy city making a name for itself among expatriates, tourists, real estate investors, and locals hoping to escape the more traditional and strict rules of their home countries.

It should come as no surprise then that it will be deploying location technology pilot programs to enhance the experience of the customer.

Around the world, Bluetooth beacons and radio frequency identification tags have been utilized in other airports, museums, sports stadiums, and even retail stores. Such technologies allow users to locate themselves, see what is around them, and find instructions to get where they need to be.

The Dubai Airport will utilize Bluetooth beacons and radio frequency identification technology throughout Terminal Three beginning in November and December.

How does this technology work?

Radio frequency identification technology works by transmitting data wirelessly in electromagnetic fields to identify and track tags that are attached to objects. The process seems relatively simple, especially in somewhere as technologically forward as Dubai.

How exactly will the technology be used?

In the pilot program, Dubai will begin using radio frequency identification technology in the tracking of luggage. Certain passengers will be selected to have a tag place on their luggage, which will allow the individual airline to track the baggage from check-in until landing. Airline personnel hope to cut down on the amount of luggage that is lost each year in transit.

The need for such technology

In 2013, Dubai International say 66 million passengers (most of which came from Emirates)--and that's a lot of luggage. The current group responsible for overseeing Emirates airports predicts that they'll handle 1.2 pieces of luggage for each and every stream 2 watch passenger that passes through security. All of that amounts to almost 80 million pieces of luggage in only one single year.

The airport will also be exploring other location technologies that will benefit the large number of passengers they accommodate annually. These technologies will include (but certainly not be limited to) sensors on unit load devices (a pallet that can be used to load both luggage and other types of cargo on a wide body and or specific narrow body aircraft). They also expect to use temperature sensors on aircraft.