Japan Airline (JAL) has begun testing humanoid robots for cargo handling operations at airports. The tests are aimed at saving labor, improving efficiency, and reducing the physical burden on human workers.
Although the aerospace world is using the latest technology on aircraft, the process of loading and unloading cargo pallets into them still uses human workers as it has since the early days of air transportation. The humanoid robot was chosen because it is better suited to the complex environment of the apron area. It can be programmed to adapt to existing equipment without major modifications.
In addition to the cargo loading process, it can also unload luggage, clean the cabin, or operate ground support equipment (GSE) such as baggage lorries and trucks that reverse aircraft from the departure gate.
Among the robots that will be used is a 130 cm tall Unitree product. The company has offered humanoid robots to customers in China and recently developed a robot that almost broke Usain Bolt's 100m record.
The use of robots is expected to ease the burden on Japanese airport operations, which are short of human workers and have not been helped by the recent surge in foreign tourists. Japan is reluctant to increase the number of migrant workers and has therefore opted to use robots and automation systems to fill the human workforce gap.
The test program will begin this May and will continue until 2028 at Haneda International Airport.
