Self-driving wheelchairs get pilot program at Sea-Tac Airport

Updated: 1 A day ago Published: 1 A day ago

Self-driving wheelchairs have ferried hundreds of passengers to their gates at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as part of a new program from Alaska Airlines.

A testing phase for Whill's autonomous wheelchairs began in August in Concourses C and D, an Alaska Airlines spokesman said in an email. Passengers can get to their desired gate by selecting a stop on a touchscreen. According to Whill, the chairs have a luggage rack and sensors to detect obstacles.

To date, more than 1,500 Sea-Tac airmen have used the wheelchairs, the spokesman said. Alaska Airlines is based in SeaTac.

“We are pleased with the progress of the program,” the spokesman said. “The devices offer drivers more freedom, confidence and an improved customer experience.”

The airline did not respond to questions about the project timeline or future expansion to other airports. The spokesman also did not provide any information about the costs of the project.

Whill announced the first commercial launch of its self-driving chairs in American Airlines terminals at Los Angeles International Airport and Miami International Airport in June. According to a press release, Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam also uses the self-propelled Whill chairs.