Urban Transport

Airport transporter has room for 7 passengers, can turn on the spot

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The Multimobby electric transport vehicle is currently undergoing prototype testing at Brussels Airport in Belgium and Heathrow Airport in London, UK
Studio Rotor
The Multimobby electric transport vehicle benefits from low entry and high walls
Studio Rotor
The Multimobby electric transport vehicle is currently undergoing prototype testing at Brussels Airport in Belgium and Heathrow Airport in London, UK
Studio Rotor
The luggage rack on the back of the Multimobby electric transport vehicle is optional
Studio Rotor
Sensors aboard the Multimobby electric transport vehicle  help ensure the prototype can be reversed into an elevator without touching the walls
Studio Rotor
The driver of the Multimobby can see above all passenger heads thanks to a raised seat
Studio Rotor
The Multimobby is reported capable of 360 degree on-the-spot turning and will adapt its speed to match bustling (slow speed) or empty (faster) airports
Studio Rotor
The Miltimobby electric transport vehicle has room for seven passengers and one driver
Studio Rotor
Should the Multimobby's large swing doors accidentally open during transit, the vehicle will be brought to a stop
Studio Rotor
Multimobby design studies
Studio Rotor
View gallery - 9 images

Studio Rotor was recently tasked with designing a new electric people carrier for Special Mobility in The Netherlands, a company that specializes in mobility solutions for airports, hospitals and other public spaces. Aimed at ensuring people with reduced mobility safely get from gate to gate in comfort, its Multimobby concept seats seven passengers, has low level entry, and though not autonomous, has onboard sensors to monitor obstacles and people and avoid collisions. And it can turn all the way around on the spot.

The Multimobby electric PRM (people with reduced mobility) transporter is reported able to comfortably seat seven passengers and one driver in a vehicle size generally only capable of hauling a total of five. The blocky buggy measures 294 x 109 x 198 cm (116 x 43 x 78 in), including a beacon but not including an optional luggage rack at the back. Much of the luggage can be stowed away under passenger seating, but if a luggage rack is installed, a Mobby transport wheelchair can be hooked and pulled along.

The vehicle benefits from a high-walled enclosure that makes sure everyone stays put and the driver can see above all passenger heads thanks to a raised seat. Where some airport buggies can require passengers to climb aboard – literally – the Multimobby benefits from low entry points for minimum step on, step off ease. Should the large swing doors accidentally open during transit, the vehicle will be brought to a stop.

Should the Multimobby's large swing doors accidentally open during transit, the vehicle will be brought to a stop
Studio Rotor

Much of the tech is currently being kept under wraps, but distance sensors and optional cameras front and back have been mentioned, for auto sensing of the surroundings. It's reported capable of 360 degree on-the-spot turning and will adapt its speed to match bustling (slow speed) or empty (faster) airports.

Multimobby prototypes are currently being tested at Brussels Airport in Belgium and Heathrow Airport, London, UK. The video below shows the vehicle scooting around Brussels Airport.

Source: Studio Rotor

View gallery - 9 images
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4 comments
Bruce H. Anderson
The airports in the video are remarkably uncrowded. Some interesting ideas though, so I wish them well.
JacobHennessey-Rubin
... but does it have a horn?!?
I find it so amusing that the drivers of current transporters have to make the 'beep beep' horn sound themselves or otherwise be vocal in order to alert people to their presence.
Gregg Eshelman
Disney should buy a bunch for their parks. Free rides to haul people around. They would especially be appreciated at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland where the Skyways were taken out in 1994, 1999, and 1998. Paint them up like Star Tours shuttles!
Richard Vahrman
"Should the large swing doors accidentally open during transit, the vehicle will be brought to a stop." Presumably as it knocks down walking passengers hurrying for their planes