Humanoid Robots Deployed at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to Move Passenger Luggage Amid Labor Shortages

Humanoid Robots Deployed at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to Move Passenger Luggage Amid Labor Shortages
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Japan Airlines (JAL) has begun a trial of humanoid robots at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, marking the first project of its kind in the country to use bipedal robots to assist in ground handling tasks such as lifting and transporting luggage and cargo. The initiative is part of efforts to address acute staff shortages in airport operations and cope with rising travel demand.

Starting in May 2026, the pilot programme — a collaboration between Japan Airlines Ground Service and GMO AI & Robotics — will run through 2028 at Haneda, which serves more than 60 million passengers annually. Chinese‑made humanoid robots developed by Unitree Robotics, standing around 130 cm tall, will be tested on the tarmac to move luggage and support logistical tasks typically handled by human workers.

The trial is occurring in the context of Japan’s ongoing labor shortage, largely driven by an aging population and shrinking workforce, alongside a tourism boom that saw the nation attract millions of visitors in recent years. Officials hope that humanoid robots can help alleviate physical strain on airport staff and improve operational efficiency.

Demonstrations already held at Haneda showed the robots autonomously pushing cargo onto conveyor belts near aircraft. While physically demanding tasks may increasingly be handled by machines, Japan Airlines stressed that essential duties such as safety management will remain under human control.

Future phases of the project could explore expanding the robots’ roles to include additional support functions like aircraft cabin cleaning and other ground support operations, as part of broader automation efforts in airport logistics