Humanoid robots are set to be put into service at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport in a pilot launched by Japan Airlines
The program is expected to get underway in May, with the objective of addressing labor shortages in ground handling operations, according to a release.
Over a two-year period, the robots will be charged with performing tasks such as loading and unloading baggage and cargo, as well as cabin cleaning.
Should these be successfully carried out, there is also the possibility that the bots will be given the opportunity to pilot ground support equipment, such as baggage carts, in the areas around aircraft.
As Japan Airlines (JAL) noted, these are tasks that constitute a significant progression beyond fixed automated tools such as robotic arms or single-function bots.
The ultimate goal, according to JAL, is to combine “cutting-edge AI technology with the unique flexibility of humanoid forms to realize a sustainable operational structure”, without necessitating major modifications to the current airport facilities.
Videos from a demonstration staged at Haneda show one of the bots pushing a metal container on a conveyor belt and waving to a human colleague, although the belt itself appears to be controlled by a human.
The project is a tie-up between JAL subsidiary JAL Ground Service Co., and GMO AI and Robotics, which said it will use knowledge gained from its recently opened physical AI research and development hub in Shibuya, Tokyo, as the pilot progresses.
According to Asia Business Daily, the robots involved in the trial will be supplied by Chinese companies.
The first is the G1 from Unitree Robotics, which recently showcased its mobility in a YouTube video. The G1 weighs roughly 77 pounds, stands 4 feet, 3 inches tall, and offers up to 43 degrees of freedom.
It will be accompanied by the Walker E from UBTech Robotics, which is slightly bigger than the G1 and features up to 42 degrees of freedom.
The bots will be operating in a complex environment, as Haneda is one of the busiest airports in the world, ranking third globally for passenger numbers (91.7 million) in 2025.The rollout of humanoid robots in workplaces continues to gather momentum, with Accenture recently showcasing its successful introduction in a warehouse pilot in Germany, and BMW and Xiaomi deploying them in auto manufacturing facilities.