From concerns mixing with crowds, to social distancing to physical touchpoints, we take a look at the tech that travellers want and new technology we can expect to see in 2021. Plus, we\u2019ve shared some of our best tech tips travellers should know about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those little body temperature guns are just the beginning. There\u2019s a new metal-detector gate that measures your temperature, blood-oxygen levels, heart rate and respiration rate just by walking through it. Symptom Sense is a new device that could give airlines a more accurate picture of a passenger\u2019s health than just a simple temperature reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you land in Hong Kong in 2021 you might come face-to-face with a negative pressure pod. This sci-fi looking space capsule disinfects you upon arrival with a 40-second treatment using \u201cnano needles,\u201d photocatalyst technology and a sanitising spray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel is about connection, except when it comes to border security, check ins and identification. When it comes to passing through checks, the less contact the better. For travellers who had concerns about travelling in light of COVID, 34% said if biometrics (like facial or voice recognition) could replace person-to-person check-ins, security and boarding checks, it would make them more likely to travel. Airlines like Delta, Air France and JetBlue had already started to test biometric boarding before the pandemic, and more are looking to follow now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for punching your pin into a keypad? Pass the hand sanitiser, please. For future travel, 42% of those surveyed cited contactless and mobile payment options as ideal to prevent physical contact. Beyond tap-to-pay functionality in shops, restaurants and hotels, travellers want mobile payments options like Google Pay, PayPal and Venmo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RELATED CONTENT: <\/strong><\/em>#GoodNews: Covid quarantine to be lifted in the UK for tour groups<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Every country has its own set of COVID-19 passenger travel requirements and it can be confusing to solve. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has proposed a global and standardised solution, creating the IATA Travel Pass<\/a> to validate and authenticate documents required for travel. Some countries like India already have an app like this set up, but a global health passport or ID app would be wonderful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every touchpoint of travel has increased their hygiene measures \u2013 from increased and more intensive cleaning to staff using PPE. Wondering how technology can help? The answer is robots (of course). At Pittsburgh International Airport, four robots <\/a>\u2013 called Amelia, Orville, Wilbur and Rose \u2013 roam the terminals. They use water pressure and chemicals, plus ultra potent UV-C light, to zap the floors. The bots zoom about for eight to 10 hours before needing a charge, leaving cleaning staff time to focus on other areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unsurprisingly, travellers want an easy way to stay informed about localised outbreaks and changes to government rules. From the Amadeus survey, 42% of respondents said mobile applications that send on-trip notifications would help boost their confidence in travel. Making sure you have apps for your airline, hotel and general travel advice is one way to stay informed. We\u2019ve listed some of our favourite apps to install below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RELATED CONTENT: <\/strong><\/em>Plan, book, travel: How to explore the world worry-free with Trafalgar in 2021<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are plenty of tech tips travellers should already know about. These are our favourite additions for travelling in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Masks](\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2020\/12\/Travel-covid-masks-unsplash-1440x810-1-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHealth scanning at airports<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Nano needle pod at airports<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Contactless everything<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2020\/12\/contactlesspay-unsplash-1440x810-1-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nUniversal travel pass<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Robots taking over extra hygiene measures<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
On-trip notifications<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Empty](\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2020\/12\/Airport-unsplash-1440x810-1-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOur favourite apps for travelling in 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n\n