Humanoid robots to work as baggage handlers at Tokyo airport
Japan Airlines is set to deploy Chinese-made humanoid robots at Tokyo's Haneda airport to handle baggage and cargo as part of a trial run from May to 2028. The robots, developed by Unitree Robotics, will help alleviate labor shortages amid a surge in inbound tourism.
Japan Airlines (JAL) will deploy humanoid robots at Tokyo's Haneda airport as part of a trial from May to 2028. The robots, made by Unitree Robotics, will move luggage and cargo on the tarmac. The 130cm-tall robots can perform physically demanding tasks and work for two to three hours continuously. They will not handle critical tasks like safety management, which will remain with human employees. The move aims to address Japan's labor shortage amid a surge in tourism, with over seven million visitors in the first two months of 2026. If successful, this trial could lead to wider adoption across airports and other sectors.
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