Announcement: Daifuku’s Patented Bag-UX Technology Reduces Baggage System Disruptions

Daifuku is proud to announce that its industry-first baggage hygiene technology, Bag-UX, has been successfully patented in Australia, with the patent process pending in the United States. This pioneering solution enhances baggage handling system (BHS) efficiency by identifying non-conveyable bags for removal from the system, mitigating operational disruptions. 

The concept for Bag-UX was first conceived in 2019 following discussions between Daifuku and U.S. airport personnel, who expressed concerns about non-conveyable baggage entering BHS environments.

Common baggage issues include extended handles, soft-sided bags not placed in a tub, wheels facing down or forward, absence of bag tag, or bags too close together.

Unique baggage handling challenges in the U.S., such as extensive manual handling and improper bag placement on the Front-of-House Collector conveyor, prompted the development of this innovative, AI-powered solution.

Bag-UX utilises imaging and AI-trained models to assess baggage conveyability at the baggage drop-off stage. If a non-compliant bag is detected, the system halts the item on the conveyor, identifies the exact issue via the touchscreen display, and alerts airline staff via an intuitive HMI interface, providing specific details on the issue for quick rectification before the bag proceeds to back-of-house processing. The Bag-UX can also be installed on transfer lines or re-induction points, providing the same benefits to other areas of the baggage system.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), mishandled baggage costs the aviation industry an estimated US$2.2 billion annually. 

Daifuku’s Bag-UX trials at a major U.S. airport provided key insights into baggage handling inefficiencies: 

• 28.13% of baggage was detected with wheels at the front, affecting proper conveyance.
• 3.11% of bags entered the system without a required transport tub.
• 22.4% of bags were placed too closely together or incorrectly positioned.

These insights demonstrate the critical need for automation and baggage screening technologies like Bag-UX to reduce mishandled baggage rates, streamline airport operations, and enhance passenger experience.

Beyond baggage conveyability, Bag-UX also incorporates an optional Intrusion Detection System, which detects human presence in the collector’s sterile zone. In the event of an intrusion, the conveyor halts and requires manual reset by an airline agent, enhancing safety and operational integrity.

Daifuku has a long-standing history of co-creation with aviation partners to contribute to the ongoing improvement and efficiency of airport operations.

Bag-UX represents a significant step in baggage handling efficiency, reducing delays and improving the passenger experience. As global aviation prioritizes automation and operations reliability, Bag-UX is poised to play a vital role in shaping the future of baggage handling.

MORE INFORMATION:

Contact our Business Solutions team for more information on Bag-UX. 

Learn more about Dafiuku’s innovative self-service solutions for airports and airlines.