In 2023, The Unclaimed Baggage Found Report disclosed that a significant 2 million items were abandoned by individuals at airports. The report also revealed that only 10% of requests for lost items were successfully located. It is a regrettable reality that misplacing valuable items like jewellery or car keys can create significant stress and consume an extensive amount of time. According to a survey conducted by Lostings in 2023, the average person spends approximately 2.5 days per year searching for lost items. Fortunately, new technological advancements are emerging to notably diminish these statistics.
Tile, a company specializing in Bluetooth trackers, has compiled data from the travel industry, news reports, and product information to illustrate how technology is revolutionizing the management of lost items. This transformation is observable not only in individuals but also in the practices of hotels as they embrace digital lost-and-found technology. Novel applications are streamlining the process of documenting and tracking items left behind in hotel rooms. Staff members can utilize the application to capture images of misplaced items, which are then automatically labelled and linked to a GPS location stored in the application’s database for swift and efficient retrieval.
One such innovative solution is the utilization of Bluetooth trackers, which aid individuals in monitoring their belongings while on the go. Nevertheless, these devices have limitations in terms of range and battery life. It is crucial to acknowledge these restrictions in order to effectively utilize this technology. Moreover, for items for which Bluetooth trackers are unsuitable, QR code labels can be used to facilitate the return of the item by providing contact details upon scanning.
Another noteworthy development is the adoption of RFID tag tracking by airlines. This technology has demonstrated greater efficiency compared to barcode trackers, although it is currently only employed in 27% of airports. The integration of RFID tags has the potential to significantly reduce the occurrences of mishandled bags in the future.
Furthermore, making use of the settings and features of your smartphone can also aid in keeping track of your possessions. For example, applications like Google Maps and Apple Maps offer the option to save your parking location, and capturing a simple photograph of the surroundings can serve as a useful visual reminder.
As technology continues to advance, it is increasingly evident that the landscape of managing lost items is undergoing transformation. By embracing these technological breakthroughs, individuals can anticipate a future in which the anxiety of losing valuable possessions will be significantly alleviated through innovative solutions.
This blog post was expertly crafted and refined by Nicole Caldwell and was edited to perfection by Kristen Wegrzyn. The original article is credited to Tile and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.