Chinese humanoids learn airport jobs, spark new business models

TOKYO — Before a Chinese humanoid robot can handle luggage at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, JAL Ground Service must decide which tasks are safe and suitable. The robot, made by GMO AI & Robotics, then learns to move in a busy space shared by people, vehicles, and equipment. This ground-handling trial is a small but revealing step. It shows how Chinese humanoid robots are starting to enter real-world jobs in Asia. Companies are not just buying robots; they are building new business models around them. Humanoids are robots that look and move like humans. They can work in places designed for people, such as airports, factories, and warehouses. The key challenge is safety: the robot must avoid collisions and follow strict rules. GMO AI & Robotics is adjusting the robot’s movements for Haneda’s crowded environment. The project tests whether humanoids can replace or assist human workers in physically demanding roles. If successful, this model could spread across Asia. Airlines, logistics firms, and manufacturers are watching closely. The shift may create new services, such as robot leasing, maintenance, and task-specific programming. For now, the robot’s work is limited. But the experiment marks a turning point: humanoids are no longer just lab prototypes. They are becoming part of the workforce.