Humanoid robots to become baggage handlers in Japan airport experiment
6 hours ago
- #Robotics in Aviation
- #Labor Shortage Solutions
- #Airport Automation
- Japan Airlines will trial humanoid robots at Tokyo's Haneda airport starting May to address labor shortages.
- Chinese-made robots, 130cm tall, will handle luggage and cargo on the tarmac, easing the burden on human workers.
- The trial runs until 2028, aiming to support increased inbound tourism and forecasted severe labor shortages.
- Robots can operate for 2-3 hours continuously and may also be used for tasks like cleaning aircraft cabins.
- Safety management and other key tasks will still be performed by humans, not automated.
- Japan faces a surge in tourism and an aging population, needing over 6.5 million foreign workers by 2040 for growth targets.