Ctrip and Baidu lanuch AI pocket translator ,doubling as a WiFi hotspot, for outbound tourists

Language is always one of the biggest obstacle to outbound Chinese tourists.  Today, China’s population is ageing.  Especially the empty nesters, families whose children are economically independent, are expected to be one of the fastest growing segments for outbound travel.  But most of them aren’t well-educated in foreign language, thus, language prevents their independent and outbound traveling desire.  With the accessibility of translator, we can see it may stimulate the number of aging travelers or FIT travelers.

source:Xinhua Wang

In Dec, 2017, Chinese online travel agency Ctrip and internet giant Baidu launched a new pocket translator for tourists.  Users can talk into the gadget, which is smaller than the palm of a hand, while pressing a button in the center.  Through artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the device will translate speech into the target language almost simultaneously.  The translator is connected to the internet through an embedded SIM card that can work in more than 80 countries and regions and doubles as a portable WiFi hotspot.  This is the World’s first equipment that integrates a translator and a portable WiFi hotspot.  In a coincidence, WiFi and translator could be the 2 biggest barriers for Chinese travelers.

Actually, this is not the first translator equipment in Chinese market, by the way, Chinese have multiple apps for translating.  Why we still believe this AI pocket translator can be a unparalleled success?

-Renting instead of purchasing

Xunfei,Wangyi translators are pioneers in translating, their targeted clients are mostly business man with frequently use in translation, rather than common travelers.  Therefore, they sell, not rent, the whole product at the price of more than $300, which should be a high and unnecessary expenditure for FIT groups.  The strategy for Ctrip and Baidu AI pocket translator is bundling sale on China’s biggest OTA Ctrip.  As we can see from their website, Ex, one day price for renting this pocket translator is around $5, which is much easier to be accepted and more attractive to travelers. When booking overseas hotels, cars and flights, the recommendation for the pocket translator service will show up before your payment.

-Double as a WiFi hotspot

The traditional translators need to connect with WiFi or network operators, it is the common phenomenon that the translator doesn’t work with poor or unstable WiFi or data.  The innovation of this AI pocket translator is gorgeous, because it has data automatically and even can be used as a WiFi Hotspot, due to the cooperation with different mobile operators in more than 80 countries and regions.

To conclude, we believe the use of good portable translation devices will encourage an increasing number of middle-aged and elderly people to travel abroad from China.

Post by Yi GU& Eryi LI

Source: Jocelyn (04 Jan,2018), Pocket translator to open opportunities for Chinese travelers,

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