With bagID, luggage tags are a thing of the past

Billions of luggage tags are printed every year, but this is about to change. bagID is an electronic luggage tag that makes the travel experience easier, and ensures your luggage is safe.

Text: Writbeat – Translation: Maria Vole

bagID is a Norwegian start-up that was created in 2015. Their goal is to revolutionize the security and control of your luggage, as well as saving travelers from unnecessary stress. An electronic luggage tag ensures that the travel experience is carefree and easy, and bagID can also provide you with additional information about how your luggage has been handled on your trip.

Their product is a physical device with a screen that attaches to your luggage and acts as an electronic luggage tag. This can be integrated with the apps associated with different airlines, and will therefore be updated with correct information every time you travel. That means that you won’t have to stand in line to get a luggage tag – you can save time and can go straight to the self-service counter.

Tracking provides extra security

bagID wants to give travelers more control over their luggage. The physical device is equipped with GPS tracking that shows you where your luggage is at all times, and has sensors that can tell you how your luggage has been treated on your journey.

The paper luggage tags commonly used today are only used for a few hours before being discarded. This is a major environmental burden, and is an unnecessary use of natural resources. This problem is a thing of the past with bagID.

“Multiple billions of luggage tags are being thrown away annually. bagID makes single-use luggage tags superfluous, and instead, you can update the same bagID device with new information when you travel again. It is a small part of the aviation industry, but can be a great benefit to the environment,” says Mauring.

Airlines are playing their part

In order for bagID to work, it is important to have a close working relationship with the airlines. Without their cooperation, it won’t be possible to travel with bagID. When bagID needed a solution that communicated with the different airline apps, they contacted Schjønhaug AS.

“Cooperation with the airlines is incredibly important. Without this partnership, our device could not be used on flights. The idea is that the airlines will send information about the trip to the unit so that it is used as a baggage tag. Therefore, the work Schjønhaug AS has done to secure communication between the airlines and bagID is absolutely crucial for us,” Mauring says.

Schjønhaug AS developed a tailor-made solution that enables bagID to communicate with the airlines’ iOS apps. This way, the airlines can send travel information directly to the unit, and the device then acts as a luggage tag.

“We created software that made it possible for the airlines to use the bagID system. Airlines must be able to send information about your flight to the bagID device for the solution to work. Therefore, it’s crucial that the software works flawlessly,” says Andreas Schjønhaug, general manager of Schjønhaug AS.

Enjoys working with start-ups

Mauring says that Andreas was responsible for the iOS project and that the project was completed without a hitch. He says he’s very happy with the choice of project manager.

“This was an important piece of the puzzle, and Andreas was essential for the project to be completed in the best way possible. The link between the airlines and our device is crucial,” he says.

As the oil industry is being downscaled in the time to come, Norway needs new and fresh ideas. In this context, Andreas Schjønhaug says he really enjoys working with Norwegian start-up companies that are creating innovative solutions.

“I want to create dialogue around Norwegian IT-companies that are working to create the Norway of the future. Therefore, I find it extra fun and valuable to collaborate with Norwegian start-up companies such as bagID,” he concludes.