Japan Airlines will trial humanoid robots at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport starting in May to help address the country’s growing labour shortage.

The robots, made by Chinese company Unitree, will assist with physically demanding tasks such as moving luggage and cargo on the tarmac.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to support airport operations amid record tourism and an ageing, shrinking workforce.

While the robots can work for a few hours at a time, human staff will still handle safety and other key responsibilities, The Guardian has reported.

The trial, running through 2028, may expand to additional duties like aircraft cabin cleaning if successful.