Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has introduced autonomous wheelchairs to help people with mobility issues get to the gates.
Ten autonomous wheelchairs have been purchased by the airport in a pilot phase to test the technology before more are procured.
The service is free of charge and advance booking is not necessary. The service is currently available for the non-Schengen area of the airport for intercontinental destinations. The wheelchairs can be found in Lounges 2 and 3, just after passport control.
To use the facility, travellers simply sit on the wheelchair, strap on the seatbelt and select their gate number. The wheelchair will then drive to the gate. After the passenger exits the wheelchair, it will automatically return 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,” said Patricia Vitalis, Executive Director of Operations at Schiphol.
