Japan Airlines has launched a pilot program at Tokyo-Haneda Airport to test humanoid robots in ground operations. The initiative, developed with its subsidiary JAL Ground Service and GMO AI & Robotics, uses the G1 model from Unitree Robotics. This robot is 1.20 meters tall, weighs 35 kilograms, and can move at 7 km/h for two hours. Its cost is about $16,000 per unit.
Technical capabilities of the G1 robot in airport operations 🤖
The G1 is designed for repetitive ground tasks, such as moving light luggage or guiding passengers in restricted areas. Its two-hour battery life limits its use to short shifts, but its top speed of 7 km/h allows it to keep pace with a walking operator. Weighing 35 kilograms, it can carry small objects without destabilizing. The navigation software avoids obstacles and follows predefined routes. The trial aims to evaluate its efficiency compared to humans in low-complexity jobs.
The robot that works two hours and needs recharging like an employee on a Friday 😅
For $16,000, Japan Airlines has bought an assistant that works two hours straight and then asks for a break. At 7 km/h, the G1 won't break any records, but at least it doesn't complain about the heat or ask for days off. Of course, when it runs out of battery, no coffee can revive it: it's time to plug in and wait. Meanwhile, human workers can breathe a sigh of relief: for now, the robot only does half their shift.