- Japan Airlines began testing humanoid robots for baggage handling at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport in May 2026.
- The 130-cm robots can operate 2-3 hours before recharging and will assist 4,000 ground staff.
- The two-year trial aims to address Japan’s chronic labor shortage amid 60+ million annual passengers.
Japan Airlines launched a two-year trial of humanoid robots for ground operations at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, deploying Chinese-made Unitree robots to handle baggage loading and other physically demanding tasks. The 130-centimeter machines can operate between 2-3 hours before requiring a recharge, working alongside JAL’s 4,000 ground handling staff at an airport that processes more than 60 million passengers annually.
The trial runs through 2028 and is a partnership between JAL and GMO AI and Robotics Corporation. Robots will be deployed progressively across Haneda, with operations analyzed to identify where human-shaped machines can work safely and effectively on the frontline. Tasks include baggage loading, cabin cleaning, and operating ground support equipment.
“While airports appear highly automated and standardised, their back-end operations still rely heavily on human labour and face serious labour shortages,” said Tomohiro Uchida, president of GMO AI and Robotics.
Japan’s Labor Crisis
Japan’s aviation industry faces a severe labor crunch driven by an aging population and declining working-age population. Inbound tourism has surged, exacerbating workforce shortages in ground handling roles. Demographic trends in metropoles like Tokyo are accelerating demand for Meta’s humanoid AI push as a solution.
The trial represents a test case not just for airport operations, but for humanoid robotics more broadly. Analysts say humanoid robot capabilities have advanced considerably in recent years, with developments in joint dexterity and AI software enabling tasks they couldn’t have performed even a few years ago. Yet it remains unclear whether robots can fully address Japan’s chronic labor shortage.
Automated baggage vehicles and robotic towing systems are already in use at several airports, with trials underway in more than 15 countries according to industry estimates. The Haneda experiment focuses on humanoid robots specifically because their range of motion and adaptability are comparable to humans, making them suitable for skilled but physically demanding tasks in tight spaces around aircraft.
Robot Limitations
Early demonstrations showed the robots taking wobbly steps and waving at luggage but struggling to actually lift suitcases. The 2-3 hour battery life limits continuous operation, requiring regular recharge breaks. Physical dexterity remains a challenge—baggage handling requires precise manipulation of varied weights and shapes in time-sensitive environments.
JAL and GMO AI emphasize the robots are designed to support humans rather than replace them, reducing physical strain and helping fill labor gaps. The goal is a sustainable airport workforce model where robots handle the most demanding tasks while humans focus on complex operations requiring judgment and adaptability.
Using robots for physically demanding tasks will “provide significant benefits to employees,” said Yoshiteru Suzuki, president of JAL’s Ground Service.
The trial ends in 2028.
