The Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA), in partnership with Unifi Aviation in Atlanta and California’s WHILL Inc., have introduced an autonomous wheelchair service for Delta Air Lines customers at Detroit Metro Airport.
The pilot program will assess long-term viability, passenger satisfaction, and operational impact.
The deployment of autonomous wheelchairs is partially supported by a grant from the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., as part of the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP). MEDC says the initiative aligns with the state’s “Make it in Michigan” economic strategy, focused on advancing mobility solutions and electrification initiatives across the state.
“The introduction of WHILL autonomous wheelchairs is a major step forward in improving accessibility at DTW,” says Chad Newton, CEO of the Wayne County Airport Authority. “This collaboration with Unifi allows us to offer a cutting-edge, efficient service for customers, ensuring a smoother and more inclusive airport experience.”
WHILL’s autonomous wheelchairs are designed for passengers who can stand and transfer independently, providing a safe, seamless, independent mobility experience with pre-mapped routes, collision-avoidance sensors, and an emergency stop function. Those needing additional boarding assistance will continue to receive traditional wheelchair services.
“We are continuously exploring new innovations to enhance the customer experience,” says Gautam Thakkar, CEO of 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.”
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 disembark, the wheelchair autonomously returns to its base, reducing wait times and improving efficiency for airport staff.
DTW joins major airports, including Los Angeles International, Miami International, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Winnipeg Richardson International, and more, in deploying this technology.
Unifi is evaluating the impact of autonomous wheelchairs on service efficiency and passenger satisfaction for Delta customers at DTW. The company anticipates that this innovation will ease personnel strain during peak travel periods while improving overall service quality.
For more information, visit unifiservice.com.
, in partnership with Unifi Aviation in Atlanta and California’s WHILL Inc., have introduced an autonomous wheelchair service for Delta Air Lines customers at Detroit Metro Airport.){kind=link}