Autonomous Wheelchairs at Anchorage Airport

0:00Ted Stevens' Anchorage International Airport just rolled out autonomous wheelchairs for Alaska Airlines passengers needing a lift around the terminal. In a in-a-management services launch, three of these wheel models on March 31, bringing some high-tech help to folks who struggle with long, walks. This came after Nana snagged the wheelchair services contract with Alaska Airlines back in November. The process starts smooth at the ticket counters where an ambassador guides you through TSA security. Once you're past the checkpoints, eligible passengers hop into the self-driving chairs ahead straight to your gate. Not everyone's a fit though. Kids are out, you gotta meet a minimum height and handle your own bags. The real win here is freeing up staff to focus on passengers who need hands on care instead of basic navigation. These chairs pack sensors that spot obstacles in halt if someone steps in the way, keeping things safe. Officials plan to test them hard during the busy summer rush before deciding on more units. Word is spreading fast about this upgrade, making travel smoother for those who need it most at one of Alaska's busiest hubs.

1:06That's the story for today. Anchorage News Today, driven by AI.