Innovation That Matters

Bus company brings seats to life with AR

Travel & Tourism

First Aberdeen in Scotland is getting bus passengers to scan the backs of its seats to receive information and entertainment on their mobile devices.

Public transport journeys can be a pain for customers when they forget to bring a book or some music to pass the time. We’ve already seen Spain’s National Reading Plan enable train users to get the first chapter of books on their smartphones through QR code posters, and now First Aberdeen in Scotland is getting passengers to scan the backs of its seats to receive information and entertainment on their mobile devices.

The service has been launched on the operator’s premium services, which include free wifi, and enables anyone with a smartphone or tablet to scan the vinyl stickers on the back of the seats. After downloading the free app — available on App Store and Google Play — customers can watch high-definition trailers of new theater shows coming to Aberdeen, as well as view information about bus routes and book a trip for the future. Passengers can also watch videos featuring First staff to learn more about the company.

Although First Aberdeen claims it is the first in the world to include AR technology on the backs of its seats, its parent company First Scotland has already been including similar technology in its free customer newspapers. Are there other ways for transport companies to provide passengers with relevant content on their devices while they’re on the move?

Website: www.firstgroup.com

Contact: www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/aberdeen/help_contact/contact_us