Self-Driving Wheelchairs WHILL Bring Travelers to Their Gate at Schiphol Airport
As of this week, travellers with reduced mobility at Schiphol can be brought to their gate by a self-driving wheelchair. With this innovation, Schiphol wants to enhance the independence of these travelers with reduced mobility and make traveling as easy as possible for them. Ten autonomous wheelchairs made by WHILL, a personal mobility solutions company, are going to be driving around the airport for a year, so that they can be tested extensively in action.
Oct 22, 2024
Amsterdam, Netherlands, September 9, 2024 – Departing travelers with reduced mobility, such as the elderly or people with physical complaints, can make use of these wheelchairs at the airport. The service is free of charge and advance booking is not necessary. The wheelchairs can be found at three locations in Lounge 2 and 3, just after passport control. This is in the non-Schengen area with primarily intercontinental destinations. Travellers can simply get in, put on their seatbelt and select their gate number. The wheelchair will then drive autonomously to the gate. Upon arrival the traveller gets out of the wheelchair, and it automatically drives back to the starting point.
Patricia Vitalis, Executive Director Operations: 'Autonomous vehicles play an important part in the airport of the future and we're already putting that into practice. After a short trial period in 2023, we are now taking one year to extensively test the self-driving wheelchair at the airport. Travellers with reduced mobility would like to move around the airport independently. The self-driving wheelchairs make that possible, without the need for an assistant to accompany them. This innovation is an important step in our ongoing efforts to make the airport accessible to everyone.'
The self-driving wheelchair
The self-driving wheelchair has a baggage rack at the rear that can carry hand baggage. The wheelchair has sensors that take other travelers, obstacles and the surroundings into account. There is also an emergency button and a seatbelt to ensure safety. If travellers do need personal assistance, it will be provided by Axxicom Airport Caddy.
Trial period and continuation
Initially, the wheelchairs will be available at the departure points in Lounge 2 and 3 between 09:00 and 17:00 every working day. Over the coming months, the service will be extended and more trials carried out, including using the wheelchair in lifts, making wheelchairs available to arriving travellers at the gate, and a pause and stop-off function. During this trial period Schiphol wants to learn how the wheelchairs fit into the airport process and how they contribute to the experience of travellers. The trial period is part of Schiphol's investigation into offering the service permanently at the airport. Schiphol will soon launch a market consultation to further explore the market and the existing opportunities.