Automated rideables roll at Tokyo airport in social distancing play

An autonomous personal mobility device developed by WHILL, Inc is seen during its trial at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan. —Reuters

TOKYO: Personal mobility devices to transport passengers with limited mobility are rolling at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, in an automation play for labour shortage-hit Japan that has taken on new urgency as the coronavirus outbreak compels social distancing.

The initial three devices, which replace push wheelchairs, are from Yokohama-headquartered startup Whill and run between security and passenger gates, equipped with cameras, lidar and other tech to autonomously navigate the environment.