A four‑foot robot, weighing just 35 kilograms, is now lifting baggage at one of the busiest airports in the world.  

Japan Airlines tests humanoid robots on the tarmac, each one costing $13,500 and running for two hours per charge.  
Credit: New Atlas

Japan Airlines has begun a pilot program at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, deploying humanoid robots to handle ground support tasks. These machines, built by Chinese robotics company Unitree, are G1 models designed to mimic human dexterity. They stand 130 centimeters tall, move at speeds of up to 2 meters per second, and can operate for two hours on a single charge. Each unit costs around $13,500, a figure that underscores how seriously the airline is investing in automation.

Finding enough ground staff has become increasingly difficult,” Japan Airlines admits, as humanoid robots step into the gap.  
Credit: New Atlas


The robots are not confined to simple lifting. Their responsibilities extend to operating equipment such as loading dollies, service stairs, and units that supply electrical power and climate‑controlled air to aircraft. They will also clean cabins, a task that requires precision and adaptability. In short, they are being tested against the full spectrum of ground support duties that human staff currently perform.


The timing is deliberate. Japan is facing a labor shortage, particularly in aviation. The country’s working‑age population is shrinking, immigration policies remain tight, and tourism is rising. Haneda Airport alone processes more than 60 million passengers annually. Japan Airlines has acknowledged that finding enough ground staff has become increasingly difficult, and the robots are being introduced as a practical response to this imbalance.


Concerns about automation displacing human workers are inevitable. Yet the airline frames the program as filling gaps rather than replacing staff. The shortage is already acute, and the robots are intended to relieve pressure rather than eliminate jobs. The Guardian reported that Japan’s government is targeting economic growth through 2040, which will require both foreign workers and technological solutions. In this context, humanoid robots are not a futuristic experiment but a pragmatic stopgap.


The partnership behind the project is also telling. Japan Airlines is working with GMO Internet Group’s AI and robotics division, which focuses on integrating advanced technologies into everyday operations. This collaboration signals that the airline is not merely testing hardware but exploring how artificial intelligence can be embedded into the logistics of air travel. The pilot program will run through 2028, giving ample time to refine both the machines and the workflows around them.


For passengers, the most immediate question is whether robots can match the care of human baggage handlers. Japan’s staff are known for meticulous handling, and the bar is high. The robots will need to prove they can treat luggage with the same level of respect. That challenge—balancing efficiency with care—will define whether the program succeeds.


The sight of humanoid robots moving luggage across the tarmac may feel like a glimpse of the future. But the reality is more grounded: a shrinking workforce, rising demand, and a company searching for solutions. If these machines can shoulder the load without compromising service, they may become a permanent fixture in airports worldwide. And if they cannot, the experiment will still have shown how far automation has come—and how far it still has to go.


Sources: New Atlas, Japan Airlines, The Guardian