Tech revolutionising Travel and Tourism in 2020

by Startacus Admin

Ivana Dobrilovic from LuggageHero shares her thoughts on the tech trends that will impact the travel and tourism industry in 2020

Although Bleisure (Business + Leisure) was a trend of the past decade, it’s definitely something we’ll see rolling into the 2020s where working to live and living to work is a way of life. We’re repeatedly told that all you need is a good laptop and a good wifi connection.

You can stay productive longer and adding some enjoyment to your business trip makes it all the less stressful. And they’re right! This is why people and robots of the tech world work to make our daily life easier. They create gadgets that revolutionize the way we live, work and most importantly, travel in order to do both. Below are five tech trends that will most definitely impact the travel and tourism industry in 2020.

Autonomous Driving

Imagine a world where you can get a head start on that work project of yours on your drive to work. Well, according to Elon Musk, that world is 2020. The chief of Tesla states that he expects his company to create the Tesla Autopilot, a completely autonomous vehicle this year. With its advanced driver-assistance system, this car promises to change lanes, brake, self-park, navigate itself on the freeway and summon itself from place to place.

What’s best is that it has a built-in full-driving hardware for a self-driving capability which makes for a safety-level much greater than a human driver can carry out. Entertainment and security functions promise to be more automated and data-capture based.

We should also prepare to see this self-driving car bring about changes in laws and regulations and existing infrastructure, as well as in social attitudes. The world of travel and tourism will definitely see a change with this self-driving vehicle coming in full swing. Finally, the “designated driver” can now relax with the rest of the traveling crew in the car. Or continue with that work project. Thanks 2020!

Travel-Tech Gear: The Drone

If you’re one of those travellers who likes to document and share their experience on the go, then you’ll love the drone that 2020 has in store for you. It’s a bird, no, it’s a plane, no, it’s the DJI Mavic 2 Pro! It’s the smallest travel-friendly drone that folds up and easily fits into your carry-on. However, don’t let the small size of the drone fool you; the features are the same as you see in larger ones.

What’s unique about this drone is its powerful camera, which takes sharp 20-megapixel stills and can shoot 10-bit 4k videos. The minimal noise the drone makes with its new blade design is another great feature, because you don’t want to disturb people while filming and traveling. Besides it being quiet, not having your drone crash into something is also important. This one is equipped with multiple 1” CMOS sensors to help prevent crashes; a huge safety feature. And the best feature — its 1-minute setup time. That quickly, it’s ready to fly right out of your carry-on.

Virtual Reality VR headset

Although still an untapped market, some innovators are experimenting with how we can travel in 2020. One item that changes the way we travel (literally!) is the Vader Immortal Oculus Quest Bundle. This VR headset poses a system which implies that the idea of tourism is actually not travelling at all. Imagine being able to travel to the Antarctic from the warmth and comfort of your own living room? Well, 2020 promises just this. With its cutting-edge technology, this head-mounted device provides a virtual reality of stereoscopic display, stereo sound and head motion tracking sensors. It has travel-lovers asking, why take time off work, pay an excessive amount of money, pack and make that round trip, when you can just put on a VR headset and you’re instantly in a realistic, three-dimensional world with access to the most miniscule details of some of the most exotic places on earth.

It also gives you the option to visit a place one would otherwise never be able to  visit in the real world for whatever reason. Widely used for video games now-a-days, it can also be used in other areas like medical and military training. But can a virtual trip replace travel in real time? It does limit the things you can do in a place and the memories you can create with your fellow travelling friends. But, at least in 2020, we can choose how we want to travel.

Experience what it feels like to climb Mount Everest (a VR Journey) and then teleport to Tahiti within seconds. 

Luggage-Storage + App at your fingertips

The people who decide that traveling in real time and space is the only real way to travel -  they better start packing their bags. But not to worry, because there’s storage help at every corner.Remember the days when you had to drag your luggage around the city while sightseeing? Well, me neither, we were mostly kids back then and had a parent or guardian carry it for us, but when there’s no one to carry it for us adults now, luggage-storage sites all across Europe and the US, such as LuggageHero are here to save the day.

Instead of just having that limited and usually inconvenient option of leaving your luggage in a locker at an airport in the middle of nowhere, you now have the option of dropping off your luggage at existing and certified businesses, shops, cafes and more, just steps away from where your feet touch the ground, right now. By creating a simple booking through the app on your phone, you can find and store your bags at an ideal city location suitable for you, all within minutes. That’s it. You’re all set. Go explore. It’s that easy and convenient and makes for a hassle-free and all the more memorable trip.

Robot Suitcase

If you happen to be travelling solo this year, perhaps a robot suitcase can keep you company while also carrying your belongings. Now, here is an example of how robotics is being used for luggage purposes in 2020. Travelmate offers this extremely practical autonomous suitcase which is made with anti-collision technology and a 360 degree turning sensor capabilities, with an installed GPS chip that helps with orientation and easy locating. Not only does it do the job of carrying your belongings, but there is no need to carry, pull or push it, or even store it for that matter (unless you really need some privacy on your trip). Best of all, robot suitcases are perfect for “bleisure” because they can help carry your laptop to the beach patio without you having to lift a finger.

With all the ever-growing advancements in the tech market today, it’s clear that innovators aim to build a deeper bond between the traveller and the destination. Although Jamiroquai’s wise words have it that we’re bound to live in “futures made of virtual insanity,” we should aim to see these simple 20 year-old lyrics in their best light.

One thing is clear - today’s technological trends impact the travel and tourism industry in 2020 by providing people with options that suit their personal travel needs best. And that’s revolutionized travel and tourism at its best. 

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• #travel
• #tourism
• #robots
• #autonomous
• #transport
• #vr

Published on: 15th January 2020