ANA, Panasonic Teaming on Self-Driving Electric Wheelchairs at Tokyo Airport

All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced it is teaming up with Panasonic to test a new fleet of self-driving electric wheelchairs at Narita International Airport in Tokyo.

According to Japan Today, the collaboration between ANA and Panasonic is part of an effort to increase mobility and accessibility options, while incorporating robotic elements that make wheelchairs a safer mobility solution for passengers connecting to their flights.

The Tokyo airport is a major international hub, forcing travelers connecting different flights to travel long distances through the facility. For travelers with mobility issues, the airport's size and high volume of passengers makes the idea of self-driving electric wheelchairs a dream come true.

In addition to helping elderly travelers and passengers with special needs getting from one gate to the other, the electric wheelchairs will have tracking capabilities allowing them to navigate the crowded airport.

The self-driving electric wheelchairs will be capable of independently detecting and avoid people and obstacles on the way to their destinations. Members of the ANA staff will be on hand to serve as guides.

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