Overview
- Japan Airlines, working with GMO AI & Robotics, began May tests at Tokyo’s Haneda to use humanoid robots for baggage loading and cabin cleaning under human oversight.
- The rollout will expand across the airport over two years with phased use in non-safety roles like moving bags, operating service stairs and dollies, and tidying cabins.
- Video from demonstrations shows a Unitree humanoid handling simple tasks, though Japan Airlines has not confirmed Unitree’s role in the trial and the company did not comment.
- The program answers a labor crunch tied to Japan’s shrinking working-age population and rising visitor numbers, and follows March guidance from the industry ministry that backs robotics to ease staff shortfalls.
- Experts say the machines still lack fine control and long run time, with reports of about two hours per charge, so they are set to support ground crews rather than replace them as evaluations continue through 2028.