Earlier this year, Delta Air Lines unveiled its Parallel Reality Experience at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The first of its kind, this system is not only changing airport navigation but has other amazing possible future applications as well.

In its infancy stage, the incredible technology allows up to 100 travelers to see their personalized flight information (and only their info) on a screen. This eliminates the need to search the boards for specific flights.

Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines.

After opting in by scanning a boarding pass, you enter a private viewing area to see your personalized information, visible only to you. As long as you remain in the viewing area, you see all your info. From here, you continue to your boarding gate using the wayfinding info.

Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines.

Multiple people can simultaneously view the same display to see personalized content. This is done through multi-pixel technology sending different-colored light to each viewing zone. Utilizing anonymous non-biometric object detection, sensors view each person as an object without recognizable features, specifically, facial recognition. Of course, travelers can choose not to opt in by simply continuing their normal airport routine.

Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines.

Advantages at an airport are obvious. It will streamline and personalize the entire flight experience.

Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines.

Additionally, future possibilities are endless. Virtually every business, including stores, sports events, casinos, restaurants and others could use this technology to offer patrons unique, personalized experiences.

— John Wroblewski, online writer