Brain Waves: BA goes biometric, Westin’s robot butler, and more…

BA gets biometric boarding gates

British Airways has become the first UK airline to introduce automated biometric airport technology, with the launch of self-service boarding gates at London Heathrow T5. Following a trial, the first three boarding gates for UK domestic flights are now open, allowing travellers to scan their own boarding pass in order to access the aircraft. The gate uses facial recognition technology.

Singapore’s Naumi Hotel rolls out high-tech rooms

The Naumi Hotel in Singapore has equipped some of its rooms with Google Home and Nintendo Switch technology. Google Home allows the hotel to provide real-time information to guests, such as flight details, weather forecasts and local area information, while Nintendo Switch will provide guests with a new in-room gaming option. Naumi’s rooms already feature Apple TVs.

Westin appoints robot butler

A Westin hotel in the US has appointed New York State’s first robot butler. Called Relay, the robot is able to deliver a choice of items to guests at the 116-room hotel, including room service from the hotel’s restaurants and fitness equipment as part of the Westin brand’s Gear Lending programme. Relay is able to navigate its way through the busy hotel and independently use its elevators.

Lufthansa creates online “Memory Network”

Lufthansa launched a new online campaign this month, with the aim of creating a digital photo album of its passengers’ memories. The “Lufthansa Memory Network” allows travellers to share memories with one another and then access other passengers’ travel experiences. The online photo album can then be searched, filtered, linked to social media and commented on.