Skip to main content
Start of main content.

Pioneering luggage tracker lands Bond University team award

A team of Bond University students have created a pioneering system to track luggage, landing them the major award at the SCU Gold Coast Airport Innovation Challenge.

The team of five students - Abbey Byfield, Nick Inglis, Valentina Hofer, Victoria Serre and Lucas Brown - took home the accolade for Best Innovative Solution, including a $1000 prize and the opportunity to pitch their idea to Gold Coast Airport.

Coached by academics Libby Sander, Adrian Gepp and Ben Hayden-Smith, the students went up against nine teams from across the Gold Coast in the competition, which challenged entrants to design and develop a new IT solution for the travel industry.

Assistant Professor Libby Sander said the team only came together two weeks prior to the competition and put in 12 hour days to finalise their concept - Smartport, which allows travellers to track their bag from drop-off to pick-up.

"The concept aimed to create a 'smart airport' and is similar to a parcel-tracker, meaning travellers can watch the movement of their bag every step of the way," she said.

"The aim is to improve the traveller experience and address the $2 billion cost-annually of the more than 21 million bags that go missing globally each year.

"The Bond University team came up with a block-chain solution. It involved a huge amount of work, extensive coding and collaboration among the students, who were from a variety of disciplines including technology, creative design, marketing and communication.

"Each of the students is also involved in our Transformer program, which aims to install big-picture solutions to everyday problems, but only two had met prior to the competition.

"The team dynamic was incredible and they worked tirelessly to execute their solution in such a short amount of time.  We're extremely proud of each of them."

The one-day Innovation Challenge was held at the Digital Enterprise Lab at Southern Cross University's Gold Coast campus and supported by Salesforce and Gold Coast Airport.

The winning Bond University team will be offered further mentoring, support and facilities to help further develop their solution.

More from Bond

  • Bond volleyballers undefeated in Intervarsity Sport Bowl

    Our social volleyballers were just out for a good time. The trophy was a surprise bonus.

    Read article
  • Strong Bond contingent at National Wheelchair Rugby Championships

    Eight Bull Shark players will compete for three states at the National Championships.

    Read article
  • Bull Sharks look to extend ladder lead over reigning premiers

    Rugby round 10 preview: The Bull Sharks backs have been firing but the pack's ability to muscle up will be the crucial element.

    Read article
  • Bull Sharks out for redemption

    Netball round 8 preview: Defence key to open scoring opportunities for Bull Sharks.

    Read article
  • Bull Sharks QFA and QAFLW sides chasing top 2 berths in comps' longest road trips

    AFL round 8 preview: Connectivity and decision making the focus at the halfway point of the season.

    Read article
Previous Next