Japan deploys robots for baggage handling at airports.

VHO - Japan Airlines (JAL) is preparing to test humanoid robots as baggage handlers at Haneda Airport, one of Tokyo's busiest airports.

Starting in early May, the robots will be put into trial operation on the runway. (Photo)

This move comes as Japan faces a surge in international tourism coupled with a growing labor shortage due to its aging population.

According to the plan, starting in early May, the robots will be put into trial operation on the runway, handling the transportation of passengers' luggage and cargo.

This is part of JAL's long-term effort to automate strenuous tasks, easing the burden on its overworked ground staff. The trial is expected to last until 2028 before a decision is made on widespread deployment.

The robots used in the project are manufactured by the technology company Unitree. In a recent demonstration to the media, a robot approximately 130cm tall was shown to be able to push goods onto a conveyor belt next to an aircraft, while also interacting with its basic surroundings.

Despite its current limitations, this is still considered an important step in the application of humanoid robots in real-world work environments.

The project is a collaboration between JAL and GMO Internet Group, through its artificial intelligence and robotics division. Both parties expect that the deployment of robots will help address the increasingly severe labor shortage in Japan, particularly in the aviation and logistics industries.

Haneda Airport currently serves over 60 million passengers annually, placing immense pressure on its baggage handling staff. According to Yoshiteru Suzuki, head of JAL's ground services division, the use of robots in these heavy tasks "will undoubtedly reduce the burden on workers and bring significant benefits."

However, he also emphasized that important tasks related to safety and surveillance will still be handled by humans in the near future. In fact, although modern airports are often seen as highly automated environments, many logistical processes still rely heavily on human labor.

Tomohiro Uchida, a representative from GMO AI and Robotics, stated that this is the bottleneck causing difficulties for the aviation industry, as demand is increasing sharply but the workforce is not keeping pace.

According to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization, in the first two months of 2026 alone, the country welcomed over 7 million international visitors, following a record 42.7 million the previous year. The strong recovery and growth of tourism after the pandemic has led to a surge in demand for personnel in the service industry, especially aviation.

Meanwhile, Japan is facing the challenge of an aging population and a declining workforce. Forecasts suggest the country may need more than 6.5 million foreign workers by 2040 to sustain economic growth. However, immigration policies remain restrictive, making it difficult to find replacement labor.

In this context, robots are seen as a potential solution. Although currently robots can only operate continuously for about two to three hours before needing to be recharged, developers believe that this technology will soon improve to better meet job requirements.

In addition to baggage handling, robots can also be used in other tasks such as cleaning aircraft cabins or assisting with airport operations.

The introduction of humanoid robots for testing at Haneda Airport is not just a technological step, but also reflects the inevitable trend in restructuring the labor market in Japan.

If successful, this model could be replicated in many other fields, ushering in a new era of human-machine integration in the modern workplace.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/nhip-song-so/nhat-ban-dua-robot-boc-xep-hanh-ly-tai-san-bay-223258.html