Schiphol wants to enhance the independence of these travellers with reduced mobility and make travelling as easy as possible for them. Ten autonomous wheelchairs made by WHILL, a personal mobility solutions company, will be driving around the airport for a year, so that they can be tested extensively in action.
Departing travellers with reduced mobility can use the wheelchairs free of charge. 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.
“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,” said Patricia Vitalis, executive director operations at Schiphol.
The self-driving wheelchair
The self-driving wheelchair has a baggage rack at the rear that can carry hand baggage. It also features sensors that take other travellers, obstacles and 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. The airport is to launch a market consultation to further explore the market and the existing opportunities.
