Delta Airlines is equipping its flight attendants with an iPhone 12. The handset’s augmented reality capabilities will be used for training as well as locating catering items stored on planes.
And a collaboration between the airline, Apple and AT&T will give the handsets 5G access. “This relationship is a step toward the future of a more connected and human onboard experience,” said Allison Ausband, Delta’s VP of In-Flight Service, in a statement.
Delta, iPhone 12 and AR
The iOS devices provide the flight attendants with training videos, photos and AR on the go. And Delta intends to use the iPhone 12 to end on-paper tracking of its catering inventory. The handsets will provide an up to the minute digital list of what’s available.
Augmented reality plays a role here, too. The employees can use the camera on the iPhone to see where items are stowed via AR.
Augmented reality overlays computer-generated images on the real world. With the capabilities of the Apple handset and appropriate software, a flight attendant can move the iPhone around the plane’s kitchen to be shown on the screen exactly where to find an item.
Growing uses for AR
The technology has potential uses far outside of airplanes, of course. There’s the obvious AR games, and many companies are exploring it for training and education. There’s virtual shopping, driving/walking directions, and many more applications.
Apple is throwing its weight behind AR. iOS has ARkit built in, and there’s a lidar scanner in both iPhone 12 Pro models for 3D area mapping. Information leaking out of the company indicate it is working on a pair of AR glasses.
