Japan Airlines Tests Humanoid Robots for Baggage Handling at Haneda Airport

Japan Airlines plans to test humanoid robots at Haneda Airport to assist ground crews with baggage and cargo on the tarmac. The project partners the airline's ground service teams with GMO AI & Robotics, a unit of GMO Internet Group.

Airports face rising passenger numbers and shrinking workforces. Japan feels this pressure acutely as tourism surges while its working-age population declines. Japan Airlines employs thousands of ground crew workers to manage the load.

The robots come from Unitree Robotics. The G1 model stands just over four feet tall, weighs 77 pounds and folds for storage in tight airport spaces. It uses 3D LiDAR and depth cameras to detect surroundings, recognize objects and respond to voice commands.

In a demonstration, the G1 pushed cargo onto a conveyor belt and signaled a worker nearby. These tests check how robots can work safely with humans in real airport conditions, not replace them outright.

Engineers train the robots in simulations using Nvidia's Isaac Simulator. Motion capture data mimics human movements, and reinforcement learning improves actions through repetition. This Sim2Real process transfers skills to the physical robot and cuts errors in busy settings.

Robots will handle repetitive tasks like moving baggage, loading cargo and aiding with equipment. Future roles may include cabin cleaning or ground support gear. Workers could shift to oversight and management roles.

Critical duties stay with humans amid the unpredictable tarmac environment. The trial runs through 2028 with phased rollout from observation to broader use. Success could lead to similar systems worldwide.