Self-driving wheelchairs in use at Schiphol
Travellers with reduced mobility at Amsterdam’s Schiphol can be brought to their gate by a self-driving wheelchair as the technology is rolled out at the major European hub.
With this innovation, Schiphol said it wanted to enhance the independence of passengers with reduced mobility and make travelling 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.
Departing travellers 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 at Schiphol, said: “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.”
