DETROIT- Travelers with mobility issues or who have trouble walking long distances will have another option to get to their gates under a new pilot program unveiled Monday at Detroit Metro Airport's McNamara terminal: autonomous wheelchairs, Myesha Johnson writes for The Detroit News.
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22 April 2025 - “We are continuously exploring new innovations to enhance the customer experience,” said Gautam Thakkar, Chief Executive Officer at Unifi. “This pilot marks a significant step in exploring how smart technology can help us meet a range of mobility needs—allowing our teams to focus on travelers requiring more hands-on care, while offering greater independence and convenience for our other guests.”
WHILL says that Eligible passengers can request an autonomous wheelchair at check-in. After security, they will transfer at a designated comfort station to the wheelchair, which will then autonomously navigate to their gate. Upon arrival, passengers will transfer to standard seating before boarding. Once passengers reach their destination and disembark, the wheelchair autonomously returns to its base, reducing wait times and improving efficiency for airport staff.
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Jamie Whitney, Senior Editor
Military + Aerospace Electronics
