Japan Airlines is set to begin testing humanoid robots at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to handle luggage and cargo operations, as part of efforts to address labour shortages and rising travel demand.
The airline will trial robots developed by Unitree starting in May, with the experiment scheduled to run until 2028. The initiative aims to assess how effectively robots can support ground handling tasks such as transporting baggage and cargo.
Beyond logistics work, Japan Airlines is also exploring the use of these robots for cleaning aircraft cabins, expanding their potential role in day-to-day airport operations.
The long-term goal is to eventually deploy the robots permanently, helping the airline manage workforce challenges while coping with increasing tourism in Japan.
If successful, the move could mark a significant step towards wider automation in airport services, where robotics may increasingly assist or replace certain manual tasks.
