Self-driving chairs for passengers with reduced mobility
An innovative service dedicated to passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) makes its debut at Rome Fiumicino airport: it is the WHILL self-driving chairs, an intelligent personal transport system that guarantees autonomy, comfort and inclusion. The initiative represents one of the first activations in Europe of this type of autonomous mobility in the airport environment.
The service was presented during the "Inclusion and accessibility at the airport" event, an annual event that brings together the representative associations of people with disabilities at the Innovation Hub of Terminal 1 of the "Leonardo da Vinci". The project is part of a strategic vision that focuses on technological innovation to improve the passenger experience, making it increasingly personalized and accessible.
WHILL chairs, already operational in some hubs in North America and Japan, have been successfully tested during the "Runway to the Future" program promoted by Aeroporti di Roma. They are equipped with intelligent sensors and an autonomous driving system that can detect obstacles and follow preset routes. Once the destination has been selected via the touch interface, the passenger is transported independently to the gate or lounge. When the service is complete, the chair automatically returns to the base.
In the start-up phase, the service is available with four operational chairs at Terminal 3, within the non-Schengen boarding area. The covered route includes 14 gates (E11 to E24) and three lounges. Technical support is guaranteed by the staff of ADR Assistance, the company of the Aeroporti di Roma Group specialized in assisting passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility.
The project further consolidates Fiumicino's leadership in terms of quality of services, confirmed again this year by ACI World, which has recognized the Roman airport as the best European airport for the eighth consecutive time. The introduction of WHILL technology also reinforces the Roman airport's commitment to a more inclusive welcome, in which accessibility and innovation become central pillars of the travel experience.
Founded in 2012, WHILL now operates in over 25 countries, offering personal mobility solutions for complex environments such as airports, hospitals, convention centers, theme parks and cruise ships. The goal is to break down barriers, improving the quality of life through smart and easy-to-use devices.
