WHILL Tests Autonomous Drive As Part of COVID-19 Infection Prevention

SAN FRANCISCO (June 8, 2020)—There are 13 million pushes of passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) in North America each year, according to surveys conducted by WHILL, a mobility service company. At $45-$60 a push, this adds up. Add in the current COVID-19 pandemic with social distancing guidelines, PRM operation is difficult to manage. WHILL announced that Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Japan will be utilizing the WHILL Autonomous Drive System to optimize current PRM operation while helping to prevent spread of infection. This is a first-of-its-kind solution being applied with the intention of addressing the COVID-19 situation impacting the world.

WHILL has conducted multiple trials of its autonomous drive system since 2019 in an effort to work towards establishing a seamless transportation experience for passengers at airports, taking them through to their departure gates. The WHILL Autonomous Drive System with self-driving technology was developed by WHILL to support those who have difficulty walking long-distances and individuals with limited mobility. 

“In the coronavirus era, we believe services that support mobility while maintaining social distancing will accelerate to replace human labor with robots and autonomous driving technologies.” said Satoshi Sugie, CEO of WHILL. “WHILL wants to provide a safe service that connects the last mile. We look forward to rapidly developing our business in order to help restore a world where people can move around with peace of mind and enjoyment.”

Trials have been conducted at airports across the globe, including Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (USA), Abu Dhabi International Airport (Arab Emirates), Winnipeg International Airport (Canada) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (USA) and more in an effort to steadily improve the accuracy, usability and compatibility for airport operations in self-driving technology. A total of 11 trials have been conducted so far, with nearly 400 passengers and airport officials using the WHILL self-driving system.

Passengers arriving at the airport who feel uneasy about walking long-distances or that have mobility limitations can use the WHILL Autonomous Mobility Service to get to Gate Number 3 through 7 at Haneda. The goal of the autonomous drive system is to reduce the risk of spreading infection through contact between wheelchair service staff and passengers at close range, as well as helping to optimize the current PRM service operation. The WHILL device will be disinfected with alcohol wipes between each user. WHILL is excited to introduce the WHILL Autonomous Drive System at more airports in the future, working to help meet the worldwide need to prevent spread of infection.

Visit whill.us for more information.