WHILL has announced that its WHILL Autonomous Drive System will be used at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Japan to optimize current Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM) operation while helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The company says that this is a first-of-its-kind platform being applied to address the global pandemic. 

“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,” explains 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.”

Passengers arriving at the airport who have mobility limitations or those who feel uneasy about walking long-distances can use the WHILL Autonomous Mobility Service to get to Gate Number 3 through 7. According to WHILL, the Autonomous Drive System’s intent is to reduce the risk of spreading infection through contact between wheelchair service staff and passengers at close range. The systems will also be used to help optimize the current PRM service operation.

Since 2019, WHILL has conducted multiple trials of its autonomous drive system to work towards the establishment of a seamless transportation experience for passengers at airports, taking them through to their departure gates.

To improve the accuracy, usability, and compatibility for airport operations in self-driving technology, trials have been conducted at several airports around the world including John F. Kennedy International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in the United States, Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, and Winnipeg International Airport in Canada. Almost 400 passengers and airport officials have used the WHILL self-driving system during a total of 11 trials.