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Key takeaways

  • Japan Airlines wants to ease labour shortages by testing humanoid robots for ground operations at Haneda Airport.
  • The introduction of humanoid robots in Japan is being driven by demographic trends such as an ageing population and a shrinking workforce.
  • Advances in AI capabilities are fuelling the growth of robots in sectors grappling with staffing problems.

Confronted with persistent staff shortages, Japan Airlines has started testing humanoid robots for ground operations at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. The airline is working with GMO AI & Robotics to test the robots from May on tasks such as baggage handling and cabin cleaning. This two-year trial aims to gradually roll out the robots across the entire airport.

Robot demonstration

A video demonstration showed a humanoid robot from Unitree pushing a load onto a conveyor belt, greeting onlookers and shaking hands.

Unitree, a leading Chinese robotics company, gained prominence with its H1 model, which featured in a Kung Fu performance during the Chinese Spring Festival Gala. It is, however, unclear whether Unitree is directly involved in the Haneda trial or is part of a broader evaluation of commercially available humanoid technologies.

Demographic trends driving demand

Analysts attribute the growing demand for humanoid robots in Japan to demographic trends such as population ageing and falling birth rates. These factors are creating opportunities for humanoids to take on essential but often unpopular tasks in various sectors. Experts predict that Japan’s workforce will shrink significantly by 2060, further increasing the need for robotic solutions.

The Japanese government is actively promoting the use of robotics and AI to tackle labour challenges. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has issued guidelines for the use of these technologies, emphasising their potential to alleviate labour shortages caused by demographic shifts.

Growing capabilities of robots

The number of international arrivals in Japan is rising, putting pressure on airport operations. Thanks to advances in the capabilities of humanoid robots, including improved joint mobility and AI software, they can now perform tasks that were previously impossible. Experts see physical robotics as the next frontier in AI development and expect substantial growth in this sector.

Chinese robotics companies such as Unitree, Agibot and Galbot are at the forefront of developing affordable humanoid robots and are seeking stock market listings to finance their expansion plans and meet growing demand.

Limitations

Despite rapid technological progress, experts warn that humanoid robots may not fully resolve Japan’s labour shortages. They point to limitations in dexterity for delicate tasks and to still underdeveloped programming and reasoning abilities. A wider rollout is expected within the next five years, but human involvement is likely to remain necessary.

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