DETROIT (April 13, 2026) – The Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) is partnering with Unifi to introduce autonomous wheelchairs to the Warren Cleage Evans Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW).
The partnership is a pilot program providing support to customers who may have difficulty walking long distances or navigating independently throughout the airport terminal. The devices are programmed to transport travelers to designated locations within the terminal, such as restrooms or concessions, and their departure gate.
All autonomous personal mobility vehicles are designed with Blueberry Technology, which leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and preloads virtual maps of the airport to help all customers explore the terminal with ease.
“The introduction of autonomous wheelchairs at the Evans Terminal represents yet another significant advancement in enhancing accessibility,” said WCAA CEO Chad Newton. “This partnership with Unifi enables us to provide an innovative and efficient service for our customers, facilitating a more seamless and inclusive experience at DTW.”
Travelers will continue to receive assistance from Unifi team members upon arriving at the airport. Once security screening is completed, interested customers will be escorted to the loading area of the autonomous personal mobility vehicles and receive instructions on how to safely operate the wheelchairs. If preferred, travelers can still opt for traditional wheelchair service.
Blueberry Technology-powered personal mobility vehicles are designed with user-friendly functions and safety features:
• Obstacle detection and avoidance capabilities allow the wheelchairs to slow down or stop when pedestrians or objects are within reach.
• Manual override feature provides an added layer of reassurance and user control.
• Customized speed and motion limits are set for indoor, pedestrian-dense environments.
• Geo-fencing functionality ensures devices remain in authorized areas within the terminals.
• Emergency stop controls are accessible for passengers and nearby staff.
Through remote monitoring, system updates will be conducted periodically to ensure the most efficient and effective pathways for customers.
Funding for the program is partially supported by a grant from the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), as part of the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP).
Last spring, WCAA and Unifi established a similar partnership to implement the deployment of autonomous wheelchairs at the Edward H. McNamara Terminal.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) welcomed more than 33 million passengers in 2025. As one of the world’s leading air transportation hubs, DTW offers service from 17 scheduled passenger airlines. Michigan’s largest airport offers approximately 800 flights per day to and from more than 125 nonstop destinations on three continents. With two award-winning passenger terminals, six jet runways, and an onsite AAA Four-Diamond Westin Hotel, DTW is among the world’s most efficient, customer friendly and operationally capable airports in North America. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport earned Airports Council International’s 2020 and 2022 Airport Service Quality Award for Best Airport by Size and Region (25 to 40 million passengers per year in North America). DTW has also garnered three prestigious awards for customer satisfaction since 2010. DTW is operated by the Wayne County Airport Authority, which also operates nearby Willow Run Airport – an important corporate, cargo and general aviation facility. The Airport Authority is entirely self-sustaining and does not receive tax dollars to support airport operations. Visit www.metroairport.com for more information.
