Aug 28

DIA to Decommission Giant Baggage Robot

Denver International Airport has decided to shut down their automatic baggage handling system, once thought to be the future of airport operations.

Ten years ago, the new Denver International Airport marched boldly into the future with a computerized baggage-handling system that immediately became famous for its ability to mangle or misplace a good portion of everything that wandered into its path.

I remember that the new baggage system was big news when the airport opened, on two fronts. It was heralded as a marvel, and it delayed the opening of the airport since it wasn’t completed on time. The thing moved bags at about 30 mph and it had a habit of flinging them off of sharp corners and into walls when it first opened. I remember seeing news footage of big lineman-sized baggage handlers with padded shields who had been stationed at the problem areas to knock errant bags back onto the conveyer belts.

Via SlashDot.

by Joe   August 28, 2005 12:31 PM   |

Comments

by Brenda Helverson,   August 28, 2005 3:51 PM  

We might know that a lot of bags were destroyed, but we will never know how much money and how many resources were squandered on a solution that was intended to replace people. I wonder if the system was fundamentally flawed (UPS and Fedex use something similar and it works for them) or if it was bureaucratically bungled to death.

Add Comment

Want to advertise on this site? Contact FM.
Web Hosting Web hosting, dedicated servers and Web design services
Laser Toner Cartridges UK laser toner, toner cartridges, hp toner, lexmark toner, samsung toner, canon, toner, epson toner, oki toner, kyocera toner, xerox toner, remanufactured toner, compatible toner
Direct TV Deals Free 4 room direct tv deals. no equipment to buy. free fast professional direct tv installation. this is the best direct tv deal available anywhere.
SEO Article Learn from the experts with our SEO article.
rope light Shopping with birddog distributing, inc., gives you access to the lowest prices, the best customer service and the quickest delivery times possible.
Laptop AC Adapter We offer genuine factory direct replacement AC adapters.
Direct TV Best satellite TV deals.
Direct TV Deals Direct TV programming deals are varied and include packages containing from 50 channels up to over 250 channels.
8mm film to DVD Retain family memories with the only frame by frame digital restoration service in the United States for your 8mm film to DVD today
Rubber Stamp Shop for custom self-inking stamps, hand stamps, address stamps, label stamps, check endorsement stamps, check deposit stamps, date stamps, pre inks, pocket stamps, ink and much more!