Changi, SATS rolls out new ‘autonomous’ wheelchairs

Changi Airport Group (CAG) and ground handling partner SATS have started the first phase of autonomous wheelchair deployment at Changi Airport following trials with passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs). The autonomous wheelchairs are managed by SATS and enable disabled passengers to move through the terminals without the aid of an airport staff member.. Changi says this enables “ground staff to focus on those who require higher levels of care and assistance”. Demand for special assistance services is expected to increase with an ageing population profile and as air travel continues to grow. Changi Airport recorded a 20% increase in requests for wheelchair assistance between 2023 and 2025, reflecting the growing need for mobility support among travellers. Meeting this growing demand with traditional wheelchair services require significant manpower and coordination across multiple airport touch-points. The new wheelchairs could of course help the airport reduce employee numbers. The autonomous wheelchair service deployment is an investment under SATS’ Hub Handler of the Future operating model. The autonomous wheelchair uses sensors to detect obstacles and human traffic while navigating customised routes. Safety features include seatbelt monitoring, which allows the wheelchair to move only when the seatbelt is securely fastened, as well as an emergency stop button and an assistance call function. A rear basket accommodates cabin-sized luggage. The autonomous wheelchairs are programmed to transport disabled passengers along predefined routes within departure transit areas. Each journey is monitored by a SATS ground handling supervisor at a control centre. Damon Wong, Senior Vice President, Airport Operations Planning, CAG said, “At Changi Airport, we are committed to making travel more comfortable and convenient for every passenger. For those with reduced mobility, navigating a large airport can be challenging. The autonomous wheelchairs offer these passengers greater independence and convenience, while enabling frontline staff to provide more dedicated care to those who require higher levels of need. This marks another milestone chapter in our CARE@Changi journey and reflects our ongoing efforts to strengthen the mobility assistance and explore innovative solutions as demand continues to grow.” Edwin Tan, Vice President, APS and Terminal Services, SATS said, “This deployment marks another milestone in our ‘Hub Handler of the Future’ journey, where automation and our people work together to deliver enhanced passenger experiences. In the first phase of the roll out of autonomous wheelchairs at Changi Airport, we are adding a new mobility solution that complements our existing fleet of manual wheelchairs, buggies and e-Caddies, giving transfer passengers with reduced mobility more choice while equipping our workforce with new skills to work alongside advanced technologies. Through a centralised operations model, we can intelligently deploy autonomous wheelchairs and other mobility assets across Terminals 2 and 3 based on real-time demand, improving resource utilisation, operational efficiency and service responsiveness. SATS is setting a new benchmark for accessible, seamless and future-ready ground services.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]