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Sydney Airport and Google have launched a new augmented-reality service to help travellers navigate the terminals.
Dubbed Indoor Live View (ILV), the technology – compatible with both Android and iOS – will provide arrows, directions, and distance markers on passengers’ phone cameras to guide them to gates, retail outlets, baggage claim, restrooms, and other points of interest. Wheelchair-accessible options and audio directions will also be available.
“This is a game-changer for people visiting Sydney Airport, as AR directions can help people have an enjoyable and smooth travel experience,” said Anthony Bertuca, group product manager at Google Maps in Australia.
“It’s powered by a technology called global localisation, which uses AI to scan tens of billions of indoor Street View images to understand your orientation and provide assistance in real-time.”
“This is a win for our passengers, who will be the first in Australia to benefit from this incredible new AR technology from Google.”
Sydney Airport is the first in Australia to adopt the technology, which required Google to gather images of all 62 gates, 55 restrooms, close to 130 retail stores, and over 70 food and beverage outlets across the three terminals. Pictures were taken during curfew hours starting in early 2022.
Sydney Airport senior manager business systems, Belinda Scanlon, hailed the partnership as a win for passengers.
“Whether travellers are looking for their gate, a bathroom or even a place to grab a bite to eat, they now have the directions they need at their fingertips,” she said.
“This is an especially great tool for travellers facing language barriers and accessibility needs, as it will help them navigate the airport more independently.”
Sunshine Coast Airport last month installed a similar navigation system, BindiMaps, which uses Bluetooth beacons and smartphone sensors to offer map-based, audio, or text directions in real-time as part of its push for accessibility.
