Baggage handlers at Japan Airlines are getting new coworkers: Humanoid robots

Japan Airlines is partnering with a Japanese robotics company to introduce humanoid robots to handle luggage and cargo. The airline will launch a trial at Haneda Airport in Tokyo in May, which will run through 2028. Initially, the robots will map and analyze airport conditions to identify safe working areas alongside humans. They will then test their baggage handling skills in simulated environments before joining human workers in real-world operations. The goal is to use the robots for various tasks, including loading baggage, cabin cleaning, and operating ground support equipment. Japan Airlines hopes to achieve a sustainable operational structure through labor savings and workload reduction, as it struggles to fill ground handling openings due to an aging population and low birth rate.