WHILL Autonomous Driving Service Launches at Paris Orly Airport
WHILL Inc., headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, has recently announced the launch of its "WHILL autonomous driving service" at Paris Orly Airport. This innovative service aims to address the pressing need for accessibility enhancements in travel environments, particularly in light of an aging population and increasing demand for travel.
As we move toward 2050, the global population aged 60 and above is expected to reach 2.1 billion, highlighting a significant demographic shift. Combined with a resurgence in travel demand following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for mobility assistance for travelers facing difficulties while walking is projected to grow at about 10% annually. The rising requests for mobility support have made it increasingly critical to address challenges such as increasing demands for assistance services, longer waiting times, and the physical burden on staff involved in these services.
In response, WHILL's autonomous driving service has gained attention as a potential solution. This service is rapidly being adopted across major airports in Japan, the U.S., and Europe. Its reliability and comfort have been recognized, and it is now available at 25 airports worldwide, having facilitated approximately 700,000 rides to date.
The launch at Paris Orly Airport comes as a result of collaboration with the ADP Group, the French airport operating company, and "GSF Smile and Fly," which specializes in mobility assistance at airports. Now, passengers requiring assistance for long distances to their boarding gates can freely choose WHILL's autonomous driving service in addition to the traditional wheelchair assistance options. The autonomous service operates by utilizing pre-collected map data and a range of sensors to navigate its surroundings safely. Passengers have a designated destination—set to their boarding gate—and the autonomous unit can detect people and obstacles, adjusting its course, slowing down, or stopping as necessary to ensure a safe journey.
WHILL remains committed to collaborating closely with various stakeholders in the aviation sector to provide a service that guarantees safety while also reducing the operational and physical burdens on staff. Moreover, it aims to offer all airport users an independent and liberating new mobility experience.
According to international airport ratings by Skytrax, which evaluates numerous aspects of airport facilities, one category honors those who enhance accessibility for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. Improving mobility environments, as illustrated by the increasing adoption of WHILL's service across both domestic and international airports, is a crucial part of this initiative.
Additionally, WHILL aims to meet diverse mobility needs for daily, temporary, or short-term usage with comprehensive local travel services. For international tourists visiting Japan, WHILL provides a convenient daily rental service, allowing customers to pick up their units at chosen locations, including hotels, or directly from domestic airports' arrival terminals and car rental services.
Overall, WHILL envisions a world where every individual can enjoy mobility regardless of their physical condition or age, striving to become the global leader in last-mile mobility solutions. Official website: WHILL Inc..
As we move toward 2050, the global population aged 60 and above is expected to reach 2.1 billion, highlighting a significant demographic shift. Combined with a resurgence in travel demand following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for mobility assistance for travelers facing difficulties while walking is projected to grow at about 10% annually. The rising requests for mobility support have made it increasingly critical to address challenges such as increasing demands for assistance services, longer waiting times, and the physical burden on staff involved in these services.
In response, WHILL's autonomous driving service has gained attention as a potential solution. This service is rapidly being adopted across major airports in Japan, the U.S., and Europe. Its reliability and comfort have been recognized, and it is now available at 25 airports worldwide, having facilitated approximately 700,000 rides to date.
The launch at Paris Orly Airport comes as a result of collaboration with the ADP Group, the French airport operating company, and "GSF Smile and Fly," which specializes in mobility assistance at airports. Now, passengers requiring assistance for long distances to their boarding gates can freely choose WHILL's autonomous driving service in addition to the traditional wheelchair assistance options. The autonomous service operates by utilizing pre-collected map data and a range of sensors to navigate its surroundings safely. Passengers have a designated destination—set to their boarding gate—and the autonomous unit can detect people and obstacles, adjusting its course, slowing down, or stopping as necessary to ensure a safe journey.
WHILL remains committed to collaborating closely with various stakeholders in the aviation sector to provide a service that guarantees safety while also reducing the operational and physical burdens on staff. Moreover, it aims to offer all airport users an independent and liberating new mobility experience.
According to international airport ratings by Skytrax, which evaluates numerous aspects of airport facilities, one category honors those who enhance accessibility for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. Improving mobility environments, as illustrated by the increasing adoption of WHILL's service across both domestic and international airports, is a crucial part of this initiative.
Additionally, WHILL aims to meet diverse mobility needs for daily, temporary, or short-term usage with comprehensive local travel services. For international tourists visiting Japan, WHILL provides a convenient daily rental service, allowing customers to pick up their units at chosen locations, including hotels, or directly from domestic airports' arrival terminals and car rental services.
- - For details on WHILL's autonomous driving service, visit: WHILL Autonomous Driving Service.
- - Explore daily rental services at: WHILL Daily Rental Service.
- - To access the English version, click here: WHILL English Site.
Overall, WHILL envisions a world where every individual can enjoy mobility regardless of their physical condition or age, striving to become the global leader in last-mile mobility solutions. Official website: WHILL Inc..
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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