Japan Airlines (JAL) will begin trials of humanoid robots from early May, a long-term solution to the nation's chronic labor shortage.
Manufactured by China's Unitree, these humanoid robots will transport passenger luggage and cargo on the tarmac at Haneda, an airport serving over 60 million passengers annually.
JAL and its project partner, Japan Airlines GMO Internet Group, anticipate the trial, scheduled to conclude in 2028, will alleviate the burden on staff amid a surge in international tourism and worsening labor shortage forecasts.
During a media demonstration this week, a 1,3-meter-tall robot from Unitree pushed cargo onto a conveyor belt beside a JAL passenger aircraft and waved to a human colleague.
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The robot demonstrates pushing cargo and waving. *Ktla* |
Yoshiteru Suzuki, President of JAL Ground Service, stated that using robots for physically demanding tasks "will certainly reduce the burden and bring significant benefits to employees". However, Suzuki added that humans will continue to handle key tasks, such as safety management.
Japan is grappling with rising international visitor numbers and an aging population.
According to the National Tourism Organization of Japan, over 7 million people visited the country in the first two months of the year, despite a decline in tourists from China due to diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing.
Japan will require over 6,5 million foreign workers by 2040 to achieve its growth targets as the domestic workforce continues to shrink. The country's foreign population has increased significantly in recent years, but the government currently faces political pressure to curb immigration.
Tomohiro Uchida, President of GMO AI and Robotics, noted that while airports appear highly automated and standardized, logistics operations remain heavily reliant on human labor. Amid labor shortages, these robots can operate continuously for two to three hours. Companies plan to use them for other tasks, such as cleaning aircraft cabins.
Hoai Anh (Source: Guardian, Ktla)
