The Japanese companies will test the G1 robot and the Walker E robot from China’s Unitree Robotics and UBTECH Robotics. Asia Business Daily. While the Unitree G1 robot costs $13,500 for the base model, humanoid robots typically cost tens of thousands of dollars per unit, despite Chinese robot manufacturers ramping up mass production.
New video of the demonstration, staged in an airplane hangar, shows one of the humanoid robots waddling up to a large, metal cargo container and making a vague shoving gesture. But the cargo container only starts moving after a human worker activates the conveyor belt to move the container towards the plane.
Humanoid robot demonstration with airport cargo.
It is assumed that robots will have to do more efficient work to prove that they are as productive as airport workers. Having robots work directly alongside humans will also introduce new security considerations for airports such as Haneda Airport, Japan’s second largest airport. flights are coming about every two minutes. The first step of the pilot program will involve determining which airport would be safer for humanoid robots.
Cost-effective robotic assistance could be welcome for Japanese airports struggling with worsening manpower shortages. In December 2023, Tokyo’s Narita Airport was reportedly unable to meet more than 30 percent of the required flights each week due to staffing shortages involving cargo handlers and other ground staff. Mainichi. Japanese government data showed that between March 2019 and September 2023, the number of ground crew in Japan fell from 26,300 to 23,700.
