Detroit Metropolitan Airport is showing it has a vested interest in getting travelers to their destination inside the airport, as well as outside.

The Wayne County Airport Authority has partnered with Unifi and is introducing WHILL autonomous wheelchairs that can allow those with mobility challenges navigate their way to their location inside the airport.

They will be offered in the Edward H. McNamara Terminal.

According to airport officials, the wheelchairs are part of a pilot program that offers another accessibility option for those who have difficulty walking long distances or navigating the airport.

Once a passenger reaches their destination, the chair autonomously returns to its base, allowing for use by other travelers.

“The introduction of WHILL autonomous wheelchairs is a major step forward in improving accessibility at DTW,” said Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Chad Newton. “This collaboration with Unifi allows us to offer a cutting-edge, efficient service for customers, ensuring a smoother and more inclusive airport experience.”

While the devices provide autonomous travel, passengers will continue to interact with the Unifi team at the beginning of their journey.

The Unifi team will escort passengers through security and to the devices.

Passengers will then learn how to safely operate the wheelchairs before heading to their destination.

“We are continuously exploring new innovations to enhance the customer experience,” said Unifi Chief Executive Officer Gautam Thakkar. “This pilot marks a significant step in exploring how smart technology can help us meet a range of mobility needs, allowing our teams to focus on travelers requiring more hands-on care, while offering greater independence and convenience for our other guests.”

Devices are equipped with intuitive, simple controls that can be paused at any time by the passenger. The autonomous chairs also feature several key safeguards, including:

• Collision Avoidance: Sensors to detect obstacles and engage automatic brakes

• Path Mapping: Pre-mapped routes to ensure safe, efficient navigation

• Redundancy & Monitoring: Backup systems and remote supervision ensure smooth, uninterrupted operations.

• Emergency Stop: Each device is equipped with an emergency stop button for added safety.

Maps and routes will be regularly updated to ensure the most efficient and effective paths for passengers.

Traditional wheelchair service will still be available with Unifi.

More than 100 WHILL devices are currently deployed across various airports and have completed more than 400,000 autonomous rides to date.

This pilot program is partially supported by a grant from the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, as part of the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform.

“Innovation in mobility is about more than just advancing technology, it’s about making travel more efficient, accessible and inclusive,” said Chief Mobility Officer for the State of Michigan at the MEDC Justice Johnson. “By harnessing new tools and ideas, we can create systems that improve the movement of people, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or abilities, has equal access to safe, affordable, and convenient transportation options.”

Later this year, autonomous wheelchairs will also be made available at the Warren Cleage Evans Terminal, in partnership with Unifi.