Business Travel Executive, February 2019

TECH FILES 34Business Travel Executive FEBRUARY 2019 Acuity Market Intelligence Acuity predicts this year will see global market acceleration for the technology as airports and airlines expand biometric services beyond immigration eGates and kiosks introducing seamless biometric touchpoints at check in bag drop security and boarding gates generating 13 billion in revenue by 2022 Fastlane biometrics is a nascent market with rapid growth potential according to Maxine Most who is a principal at Acuity Market Intelligence Today about 5600 biometric eGates and kiosks are deployed at more than 300 locations in 80 countries This number is projected to triple by 2022 The majority of Fastlane Biometrics units currently in use are automated border control eGates and automated passport control kiosks fewer than 300 of the remaining units are deployed at check in bag drop security and boarding Acuity predicts these numbers will shift over the next two to three years as additional Fastlane Biometrics touchpoints become mainstream within airports Airports will set the standard for biometric facilitation Most says As the frequency of encountering Fastlane Biometrics increases so too will consumer comfort and preference for the convenience of the experience However this is only the beginning Most explains This will create opportunity and significant demand for similar solutions within and well outside the travel sector expediting and securing everything from cruise ships and car rental and ridesharing services to sports stadium and event center access Among those in the rental car industry picking up on biometric developments Hertz has teamed up with Clear a provider biometric screening kiosks to speed car pickup Hertz Gold Plus Rewards loyalty program members with access to Clear are able to bypass the counter and pick up a car At the exit gate pods with cameras and touchscreens can read the drivers face or fingerprint If they match up with Hertzs reservation data the gate will open Meanwhile National Car Rental has fielded its own updated mobile app to improve customers ability to select vehicles in advance The app gives travelers a single point of contact to manage the rental experience from reservation to return App users can track profiles and rewards and at select airport locations they can view real time inventory and hold a specific vehicle In addition National has launched an updated website platform partnered with OEMs to provide the latest available in vehicle technologies Todays business travelers are more tech savvy than ever and they depend on reliable platforms and tools that bring speed choice and control to their travel said Frank Thurman vice president of marketing for National US Workers Already Using AI on the Job Nearly a third of US workers 32 percent are already exposed to some form of artificial intelligence in their jobs according to a survey of more than 10000 employees by Optimized Workforce Furthermore the survey found that an additional 6 percent will begin using AI tools for the first time in 2019 The study predicts the US economy could see upwards of 900 billion in improved efficiencies from implementing AI in 2018 the equivalent of 15 percent of total payroll However that 15 percent in productivity gains will not trigger a corresponding reduction in employment More than 13 percent of workers surveyed said giving up tasks which AI could do more efficiently would free their time to focus on more key business goals and deliverables Blockchain Connects Consumers and Cars Nearly two thirds 62 percent of automotive executives believe blockchain is set to be a disruptive force in the auto industry by 2021 However according to new research from IBM only a small percentage of OEMs and suppliers are currently ready for blockchain or see blockchain solutions as ready for commercial use The survey of over 1300 automotive executives across 10 countries found finance supply chain and mobility services were top areas where blockchain could be beneficial Respondents pointed out blockchain based solutions in the automotive supply could solve some of the issues around recalls fake products and consumer safety In addition blockchain would have a high impact on secure mobility commerce usagebased mobility pricing and payments and fleet management services GlobalStar Links with Atriis Technologies GlobalStar Travel Management has entered into a strategic partnership with Atriis Technologies which enables GTM members to use Atriis Global Travel Platform The platform is designed for TMCs and corporate travel managers to access a broad range of content via connections to multiple GDSs NDC enabled airlines hotel direct connects OTAs rail platforms and value add services In addition the Atriis platform offers a marketplace where wholesale partner fares can be easily accessed and distributed between partner TMCs The platform also allows any GlobalStar partner to access and service another partners booking through its Global Shared Services feature to facilitate a regionally consistent traveler experience BTE