One of the only frustrating things about traveling is the time you spend at an airport. Having to wait around for a flight that doesn’t take off for ages can definitely be a trial for one’s patience. But what if you could check into your flight from a virtual airport? What if you could lounge and kick back, browse and shop, and even interact with other passengers, all within a virtual world? Sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, doesn’t it? Well, this isn’t a distant dystopia anymore!
Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) has now launched the first phase of the BLR Metaport. This provides passengers with a platform to experience and immerse themselves in Kempegowda International Airport’s Terminal 2 (T2) virtual rendition. So how does it work and what purpose does it serve? Read on to find out!
Taking a trip to the Metaverse
Thus far, the applications of the Metaverse have found popularity mainly in NFT gaming marketplaces and the games they have launched. With this launch, the use cases have just expanded drastically. The BLR Metaport is built on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Polygon. In this, their first step into all things Web3, BIAL has used the fundamentals of decentralization to offer passengers a unique traveling experience. By simply logging in to the Metaport’s website, passengers can get a lay of the land, so to speak.
You can navigate your avatar through Terminal 2, and explore the surroundings. This is particularly useful if you’re on a tight schedule and need to know where everything is. From check-in to restrooms, the Metaport lets you walk (or even run!) around and find out what you need to know. You can even interact with other passengers who are likewise exploring the Metaport. The platform not only allows you to chat with them, but also make calls!
Closing Thoughts
It’s clear that the Metaverse is beginning to take the centrestage in the tech world. With more and more innovations like the BLR Metaport, this sort of virtual rendition may be the norm rather than a novelty. This revolutionary concept makes life easier for so many travelers, especially the elderly, those with children, and those with disabilities. Hopefully, with this, the internet will finally become the inclusive space it was meant to be.
