Humanoid robots being trialled as airport workers in Japan | Technology
Japan Airlines says it will trial humanoid robots as workers at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, with tasks including baggage handling and cabin cleaning.
Published On 30 Apr 2026
You could soon see ROBOT baggage handlers dealing with your summer holiday luggage as major airline trials humanoid crew
ROBOT baggage handlers will replace humans during an experimental project as a major airline trials a humanoid crew.
The pilot programme was announced by Japan Airlines, where Chinese-made robots will be integrated into ground operations at Haneda Airport in Tokyo.
The country’s biggest airport will host the three-year experiment, where the machines will be tasked with cleaning planes, as well as loading and transporting baggage.
Looking further into the future, the androids could also be operating ground support equipment including baggage tractors, catering trucks and power units.
The airline said bipedal robots were the best suited to working in airport environments, as opposed to other types of robotic machines.
This is because they are quicker and are able to move within and adapt to cramped spaces.
“Being human-shaped allows their introduction without significant modifications to existing airport facilities or aircraft structures,” a Japan Airlines spokesperson said.
“By combining cutting-edge AI technology with the unique flexibility of humanoid forms, the project aims to realise a sustainable operational structure through labour savings and workload reduction.”
“Currently, the aviation industry faces a serious challenge in ground handling labour shortages,” they continued.
The airline said this was because of increased tourism and a declining working-age population in Japan.
“Ground handling operations require highly skilled personnel to maintain safety, such as aircraft marshalling and baggage/cargo handling, while also imposing significant physical burdens,” they said.
Baggage handlers do one of the least glamorous and thankless jobs in the modern world.
Many workers suffer with back injuries and are often faced with complaints about lost and damaged belongings.
The robots were trialled in Haneda this week, with a demonstration showing a skinny 51-inch robot tapping and pushing large storage containers on rollers.
To demonstrate that a task had been completed, the robots raise a hand.
The machine is made by Unitree Robotics of China and has 43 separate moving parts.
“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 of GMO AI & Robotics, the airline’s partner on the project.
Naver showcases AI robots across ‘lab-like’ headquarters
1 of 2 | Service robots operate inside Naver’s headquarters in Seongnam, South Korea. Photo by Asia Today
April 16 (Asia Today) — South Korean tech company Naver is expanding its artificial intelligence capabilities with robots operating throughout its headquarters, as the firm ramps up investment in next-generation technologies.
At the company’s second headquarters in Seongnam, south of Seoul, robots are deployed across the building, which spans from a basement level to 28 above-ground floors. The facility has been described by the company as functioning like a “living laboratory” for AI and robotics.
About 100 service robots, known internally as “Rookie,” assist employees by delivering food, beverages and packages, as well as transporting documents. Workers can summon the robots through a mobile application and verify their identity upon arrival.
The robots are designed to move autonomously throughout the entire building. They can pass through security gates, use elevators and navigate between floors without human assistance, a capability that sets them apart from robots typically confined to a single floor or designated area.
“The ability for robots to use elevators and travel across the entire building is a distinctive feature,” a company official said, adding that the machines are positioned for easy access and operate based on time-specific tasks.
The robotics technology is being developed by Naver Labs, a research subsidiary focused on advancing automation systems. Inside the facility, various robots – including wheeled service units and bipedal machines – are being tested as part of efforts to build a broader robotics ecosystem.
A key component of the system is “ARC Brain,” a cloud-based platform that allows centralized control and coordination of multiple robots. The system is designed to improve efficiency by enabling simultaneous management of a fleet of machines.
“Improving productivity by having robots perform tasks traditionally done by humans is essential,” the official said. “That requires an integrated system capable of managing multiple robots at once.”
Beyond robotics, the company is also strengthening AI features in its core search business. It plans to introduce an “AI tab” following the rollout of its AI briefing service last year.
Naver reported record results in 2025, with revenue reaching 12.35 trillion won ($8.2 billion) and operating profit of 2.21 trillion won ($1.47 billion). Market forecasts suggest the company will post another record this year, with revenue projected at 13.41 trillion won ($8.9 billion) and operating profit at 2.45 trillion won ($1.63 billion).
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260416010005223