Robots Set to Assist Baggage Handling at Tokyo Airport in New Trial

Japan Airlines is preparing to introduce humanoid robots to assist with baggage handling at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, as part of a pilot programme aimed at addressing growing labour shortages and rising passenger numbers.

The trial, scheduled to begin in early May, will see the robots working alongside human staff on the airport tarmac, transporting luggage and cargo. While the machines will require regular charging, they are expected to help ease the physical demands placed on ground crews.

Haneda Airport, one of Japan’s busiest travel hubs, serves more than 60 million passengers annually. With tourism continuing to grow, airline operators are exploring new ways to maintain efficiency despite a shrinking workforce.

The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with Japan Airlines GMO Internet Group and will run through to 2028. If successful, the robots could become a permanent feature of airport operations.

During a recent demonstration, a humanoid robot—standing around 130cm tall and developed by Chinese firm Unitree—was shown moving cargo onto a conveyor belt near a parked aircraft. The robot also demonstrated basic interaction capabilities, such as gesturing towards nearby workers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSzyz3Vho60

Yoshiteru Suzuki, president of JAL Ground Service, said the use of robotics in physically demanding roles could significantly reduce strain on employees. However, he emphasised that critical responsibilities, including safety oversight, would remain in human hands.

Japan is currently facing a combination of increasing visitor numbers and a declining domestic workforce due to its ageing population. In the first two months of 2026 alone, more than 7 million tourists visited the country, following a record-breaking 42.7 million arrivals the previous year.

To sustain economic growth, Japan is expected to require millions of additional workers in the coming decades. While the number of foreign workers has increased, immigration remains a sensitive political issue.

Tomohiro Uchida, president of GMO AI and Robotics, noted that although airports may appear highly automated, many behind-the-scenes tasks still rely heavily on human labour. He added that these roles are becoming increasingly difficult to fill.

Currently, the robots can operate for two to three hours at a time. In the future, they may also be deployed for additional duties, including cleaning aircraft interiors.