Narita Airport Opens Unmanned Revenir Shop

Terminal 3 of Narita Airport. (Wikimedia Commons/PEKEPON)

JAKARTA - A cat-like robot has started selling unsupervised souvenirs at Narita Airport, near Tokyo, Japan in a demonstration experiment aimed at overcoming labor shortages and increasing operational efficiency.

The experiment, the first in Japan, began last month and is a joint project between the airport and the Nomura Research Institute, according to the research firm.

At the "Pickru Store", customers choose goods through touch panels and pay for them. Then, the robot responds by taking a item from a pile of souvenirs using its tail equipped with a suction device, and delivering it to the point of retrieval.

The store sells a total of 12 popular snack souvenirs, including "Hiyoko Sweets". The experiment will continue until December 15 at the Terminal 3 domestic departure gate area.

According to the agency, this service eliminates concerns about theft because customers do not have direct access to these merchandise.

In addition, the initial investment costs will be lower than supermarkets without guards, as security camera installations are not required.

"We hope that this system can overcome the problem of labor shortages in line with the decline in the working age population," said developer Kenichiro Hiroto, as reported by Kyodo News November 21.

By implementing an unmanned retail system, Narita Airport hopes to provide solutions that not only reduce the need for additional staff but also offer a smooth and efficient shopping experience for tourists.

The use of robots in public spaces is part of a broader trend in Japan, where technology is increasingly being used to complete the workforce and improve customer experience.

According to an official statement at Narita Airport, this initiative is in line with Japan's National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (AI), which encourages the integration of AI and robotics in everyday life to support the elderly population and improve business efficiency, quoted from Travel and Tour World.

Pickru's store is also in line with Japan's growing interest in sustainable technology. The nominal energy consumption needed by robots and the efficient use of space in unmanned small shops reflects the commitment to reduce operational costs and increase environmental impacts.