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Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is working toward improving accessibility with the introduction of autonomous wheelchairs. The Wayne County Airport Authority has partnered with Unifi to roll out WHILL autonomous mobility devices as part of a new pilot program designed to support travelers who have difficulty walking long distances or navigating the airport.
The service offers passengers a more independent and efficient way to move through the terminal. After an initial assist from the Unifi team, travelers are guided through security and brought to the WHILL devices. Passengers receive a brief orientation on how to operate the chair before continuing to their destination. Once the journey is complete, the wheelchair automatically returns to its base (making it immediately available for other travelers). While the chairs are capable of autonomous navigation, passengers remain in control and can pause or stop the device at any time using simple, intuitive controls.
The WHILL devices are equipped with advanced safety features to ensure a smooth and secure experience. Built-in sensors enable collision avoidance by detecting obstacles and applying automatic braking when needed. Pre-mapped routes guide the chairs along efficient paths throughout the terminal, while backup systems and remote monitoring provide additional reliability. Each chair also includes an emergency stop button for added peace of mind. Airport officials say routes and maps will be continuously updated to maintain optimal performance and adapt to changing conditions within the terminal.
Traditional wheelchair assistance services will remain available through Unifi, ensuring that passengers can choose the option that best fits their needs. The pilot program builds on growing adoption of autonomous mobility solutions in airports. More than 100 WHILL devices are already in operation globally and have completed over 400,000 autonomous rides to date.
Funding support for the initiative comes in part from the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform and is administered by the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Anthony’s Take: This is so cool. With this launch, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) continues to explore innovative technologies aimed at improving the travel experience and expanding mobility options for all passengers. Hopefully, these will roll out in other airports.
(Featured Image Credit: @DTWeetin via X.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
1 comment
SEA already has these and 95% of the time they are all parked by D1 and not in use…