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From Asimov to Terminator: The rise of the working robot

Japan Airlines is trialing humanoid robots for baggage handling at Haneda, potentially expanding to aircraft cabin cleaning. This initiative addresses Japan's aging population and tourism boom. Globally, robot adoption is surging across sectors, fueled by AI advancements and decreasing hardware costs. Asia, particularly, leads this charge due to manufacturing bases and immigration policies. While initial deployment costs are high, productivity gains offset them. The trend impacts employment, necessitating upskilling, but offers efficiency and a shift towards higher-value roles, reshaping global labor markets.

Economic Times · ET Bureau · May 1, 2026 at 5:41 PM

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