Japan Airlines Trials Humanoid Robots to Ease Labor Shortage

Japan Airlines will begin testing humanoid robots for ground handling tasks at Haneda Airport starting May, in a two-year trial aimed at easing workforce strain, Kelly Ng reported for BBC News.

Humanoid robots are tested at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to assist with airline ground operations. (Photo: Kyodo News)

The robots, developed in partnership with GMO AI & Robotics, will initially assist in loading and unloading cargo containers.

Japan’s aviation sector faces a growing labor shortage due to rising tourism and an aging population. JAL, which employs around 4,000 ground staff, hopes the robots can eventually expand into tasks such as cabin cleaning and operating ground support equipment.