Humanoid Robots Start Sorting Luggage In Tokyo Airport Test Amid Labor Shortage (arstechnica.com)
- Reference: 0183047306
- News link: https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/26/04/29/0347242/humanoid-robots-start-sorting-luggage-in-tokyo-airport-test-amid-labor-shortage
- Source link: https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/04/japan-airlines-tests-having-robots-instead-of-humans-handle-travelers-luggage/
> Humanoid robots are getting a [1]new gig as baggage handlers and cargo loaders at Tokyo's Haneda Airport -- part of a Japan Airlines experiment to address a human labor shortage as airport visitor numbers have surged in recent years. The demonstration, set to launch in May 2026, could eventually test humanoid robots in a wide range of airport tasks, including cleaning aircraft cabins and possibly handling ground support equipment such as baggage carts, according to a Japan Airlines press release. The trials are scheduled to run until 2028, which suggests that travelers flying into or out of Tokyo may spot some of the robots at work.
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> [...] Japan Airlines is interested in testing whether humanoid robots powered by some of the latest AI models can adapt more readily to human work environments -- such as airports -- without requiring dedicated work stations or other significant workplace modifications. The airline's subsidiary, JAL Ground Service, has teamed up with GMO AI & Robotics Corporation to oversee the demonstration. The Japanese companies will test the G1 robot and Walker E robot from Chinese companies Unitree Robotics and UBTECH Robotics, according to [2]The Asia Business Daily . Humanoid robots still typically cost tens of thousands of dollars per unit despite Chinese robotics manufacturers scaling up mass production, although the Unitree G1 robot costs as low as $13,500 for the baseline model.
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> A [3]new video from an apparently staged demonstration in an aircraft hangar shows one of the humanoid robots tottering up to a large, metal cargo container and making a vague pushing gesture. But the cargo container only begins to move once a human worker starts the conveyor belt to move the container toward the aircraft. Presumably, the robots will need to put in much more effective work if they're to prove as productive as human airport workers. Having robots working directly alongside humans will also introduce new safety considerations for airports like Haneda Airport, which is Japan's second-largest airport, with flights arriving approximately every two minutes. The first step in the pilot program will involve identifying which airport areas will be safest for humanoid robots.
[1] https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/04/japan-airlines-tests-having-robots-instead-of-humans-handle-travelers-luggage/
[2] https://www.asiae.co.kr/en/article/2026042716105399634
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1HhCfdW438
Labor shortage (Score:2)
Thats OK, we can't afford to fly now anyway.
Scraping the Internet (Score:2)
> shows one of the humanoid robots tottering up to a large, metal cargo container and making a vague pushing gesture. But the cargo container only begins to move once a human worker starts the conveyor belt to move the container toward the aircraft.
Evidently learned by scraping YouTube videos of some local natives pushing on the cab of a pickup truck while standing in the bed. This describes A.I. training in a nutshell.
Any robot will be better (Score:2)
Not that I praise robots replacing human jobs. But I've seen countless times luggage handling employees literally abuse luggage. I even saw a dude slamming the luggage, then followed with a kick for good measure. Dunno if he just had a bad day or he indeed hated his job.
Re: Any robot will be better (Score:2)
Yes the old "humans suck at everything" argument.
unlikely (Score:2)
I doubt vision is good enough to do manipulation of luggage. At best, this might involve a fork in a conveyer and reading a bar code to push some pieces into the fork. Stuff that probably is already done by Fedex or UPS.
What labour shortage in Japan ? (Score:2)
In Japan unemployment was [1]2.7% in March 2026 [tradingeconomics.com]. So either they are not paying enough to get staff or they are not telling the truth.
[1] https://tradingeconomics.com/japan/unemployment-rate
Re: (Score:2)
They are probably offering Slave Wages.
And now they are using robots.
Meanwhile the word ROBOT literally means slave (https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=robot)
Sorting? (Score:2)
The video shows one struggling to apply light pressure to a cargo container, and that's it. I'd love to know what their actual capabilities are.
Re: (Score:2)
My thoughts exactly. I don't have a mod points. So I will just concur with my words.
Seems more like a PR stunt than anything practical.