Schiphol and Axxicom Airport Caddy start testing autonomous mobility vehicles
This week, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Axxicom Airport Caddy are testing autonomous mobility vehicles at the airport. The vehicles with Smart technology from personal transportation solutions company WHILL are already being used successfully at major airports such as Tokyo International Airport in Japan. The service contributes to Schiphol's objective of making traveling as easy as possible for people with reduced mobility.
Schiphol and Axxicom Airport Caddy expect the autonomous mobility service to make a contribution to improved customer satisfaction in the future. During the pilot, a number of travelers will be taken to their gate by the autonomous vehicles. The innovative vehicles support the current passenger assistants, resulting in more efficiency in their work.
We want to offer all travelers a pleasant travel experience at Schiphol. That is why we are testing this innovation. With the autonomous vehicles, we are exploring how travelers with reduced mobility can find their way independently and safely at the airport. This fulfills the need of this group to be able to travel independently. We are curious about their experiences during this pilot.
The autonomous vehicles are a great solution for elderly travelers or people who cannot travel long distances due to medical reasons. But also for passengers who worry whether they will find their way. We are already helping these travelers with our passenger assistants.. We expect this innovative solution to contribute to a future-proof service provision from our organization.
Vehicle drives itself back after arrival destination
The autonomous vehicles have a luggage rack at the rear where hand luggage can be placed. The traveler can enter his destination on the service screen, for example the gate for boarding. The vehicle then drives to this destination independently. The vehicle also has sensors that take into account other travelers, obstacles and the surrounding environment. There is an emergency button on the vehicle and a seat belt to ensure safety. After arriving at the destination, the passenger disembarks (if possible) and the vehicle drives itself back to the starting point where new travelers can use it again.
Find your way around Schiphol independently
At Schiphol, assistance is offered to travelers who have difficulty moving around the airport independently. IATA research shows that requests for assistance come not only from passengers who have a physical condition, but also from elderly passengers who are concerned about their ability to navigate through a large airport, or passengers who do not have a good command of English or Dutch and therefore have difficulty asking for help. With the autonomous vehicles, Schiphol and Axxicom are responding to the needs of travelers.
The pilot will last one week. An evaluation will take place and a decision will be made whether WHILL Autonomous Mobility Service will be given a permanent place at Schiphol.
