Autonomous wheelchair trial starts in Tokyo

THE realisation of a society in which physically disabled people can be transported on autonomous wheelchairs at places such as airports and shopping centres has moved a step closer with the start of trials in Tokyo by Yokohamabased venture company Whill Inc together with Mitsubishi Electric Corp and others. Preinstalled information of a facility’s layout allows the wheelchair to collect users from a requested location and return to a standby position after use. Wheelchair users have the option of operating the wheelchair themselves using an onboard controller. Sensors installed at the tips of both armrests monitor the wheelchair’s physical surroundings, such as passersby and walls. The development team is proceeding with talks with British and Dutch airports for the introduction of the wheelchair, according to sources. They intend to put them into practical use by next year.