Bridget is here to assist you.
When you find yourself navigating Terminal B at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, you might meet the terminal’s innovative “concierge”—a full-sized AI hologram ready to help.
Positioned conveniently near Terminal B’s Food Hall, Bridget offers real-time assistance, providing directions to gates, shops, lounges, and baggage claim. She can guide you through the airport with live mapping and step-by-step instructions.
This impressively lifelike figure is capable of having “natural, intuitive conversations” with passengers, according to LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP), the terminal’s manager and developer. LGP notes that this is the first fully interactive AI hologram in the aviation sector.
Currently, Bridget communicates in both English and Spanish, with plans to expand language support in the future. She also includes features like closed captioning, high-contrast displays, and an accessible interface designed for those using wheelchairs.
The technology behind Bridget is driven by the Proto hologram hardware platform and Holomeida’s AI Concierge Wayfinder application.
However, for those concerned about AI taking over human jobs, LGP noted that Bridget — powered by the hologram hardware platform Proto and Holomeida’s AI Concierge Wayfinder application — is meant to supplement the terminal’s human guest support — not replace it.
“As passenger expectations evolve, airports are increasingly seeking technologies that not only improve operational efficiency, but also create memorable, frictionless, and personalized journeys,” Glenn E. Smith, Spatial Computing XP Architect, said in a statement.
Proto Hologram founder David Nussbaum noted that the digital helper can give more personalized information than static signage and passive video screens.
“Most people think of airports as stressful and confusing environments, but LaGuardia’s Terminal B leads the world in changing all that,” Nussbaum said. “Communication with humans will always be the best way to help travelers find their way, and for the first time in any airport, AI-powered interactive hologram avatars extend the reach of the human guest experience ambassadors.
“The future of travel has begun at LaGuardia,” he added.
The launch of the AI hologram is yet another step in the transformation of LaGuardia’s Terminal B following the completion of the $5.1 billion redevelopment project in 2022.
