Tokyo trials mobile robotic rubbish bins at Shinjuku Station
East Japan Railway is testing three autonomous waste-collecting robots at Shinjuku Station, the world's busiest rail hub, in a trial running until 20 November.
Three automated rubbish bins on wheels are being trialled at Tokyo's Shinjuku Station, a complex through which more than 2.7 million passengers pass every day. The devices stand just over a metre tall, move at a cautious pace of around 20 centimetres per second, and are able to stop quickly when passengers are nearby.
The trial, run by operator East Japan Railway, began on 8 September and will continue until 20 November. The robots operate on weekdays between 10:00 and 17:00 on a paid concourse in the station's first basement level.
Addressing a cleaning challenge
The project responds to a situation in which fixed bins have been reduced for cleanliness and security reasons, while remaining traditional bins require manual emptying more than ten times a day. The robots follow pre-programmed circular routes between ticket gates, collecting general waste and plastic bottles, and return automatically to a collection point once full.
The company stresses the robots are designed to assist human staff rather than replace them. During the trial, it is assessing both commuter engagement with the machines and their ability to navigate safely through busy underground areas, with video and sensor data used solely for analysis purposes.
While some passengers have welcomed the concept, tourists in particular have been drawn to the robots' large, googly eyes and train-themed design featuring the station's mascot, Shinjukuma.
