Surely the big question is when will the DfT permit automatic bag drops. If it can work in Germany why can't it work in the UK?
The security questions can be answered on a touch screen. You do this already if you only have cabin baggage.
Your boarding card can be read by a scanner.
The bag tag is printed at the drop point and is easliy attached,
The system won't release the bag into the system and return your boarding pass until the bag has been scanned to ensure that it is tagged correctly, is not over-weight/over-sized etc.
So why do the DfT insist that the airline has to have a human (mmm-debatable point at some desks!) asking the questions?
Or is it a question of IT development? (would have thought if the system is there in Germany then it could be used anywhere).
GH