Toronto Pearson International Airport Trials WHILL Autonomous Mobility Service

Post-COVID Paradigm Accelerates WHILL’s Autonomous Service Expansion at International Airports in North America

Jun 11, 2024

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San Francisco, CA, October 19, 2020 – WHILL announced today the trial of its Autonomous Mobility Service at Toronto Pearson International Airport. This will be the fourth trial of WHILL’s autonomous technology in North America, with previous trials being conducted in New York, Dallas and Winnipeg in 2019. In June, WHILL successfully launched their commercial autonomous service at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo as a measure to practice social distancing between the airport staff and traveler.


Implementation at Toronto Pearson International Airport aims to promote the facility’s Healthy Airport strategy and will also help optimize the current Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM) service operation.


The trial in Toronto will take place from October 19 to November 13. Travelers with limited mobility will be able to navigate through the airport to their gate simply by selecting their destination on the tablet. Upon completion of the trip, the device will automatically return to its base. The WHILL Autonomous Model detects and avoids obstacles throughout the airport, including other people and objects, using sensors and automatic brakes. The autonomous service allows for social distancing for both the travelers and airport staff and increases efficiency in comparison to a conventional wheelchair push service (staff directly pushes a manual wheelchair).


Overview
  • Trial Period: October 19, 2020 to November 13, 2020
  • Location: Toronto Pearson International Airport, Terminal 1, Gates D20 through D45
  • Detail: WHILL’s Autonomous Mobility Service will drive passengers from the WHILL Station located after the security area to designated boarding gates. Upon trip completion, the device will automatically return to its base.
  • Who Is It For: Those who have difficulty walking long distances and individuals with limited mobility departing from Terminal 1.