Core Insights - Japan's Narita Airport is testing a new project involving cat-shaped robots selling snacks to address labor shortages and improve operational efficiency [1] Group 1: Project Overview - The cat-shaped robots are located in the domestic boarding area of Terminal 3, offering 12 popular snack options [1] - Customers select items and make payments via a touchscreen before the robot retrieves the goods using a suction device on its tail [1] - The project is a collaboration between Narita Airport and Nomura Research Institute, with a trial period expected to last until December 15 [1] Group 2: Operational Benefits - The design prevents direct customer contact with products, reducing concerns about theft for the store operators [1] - Initial investment costs are expected to be lower than those of unmanned convenience stores due to the absence of surveillance camera installations [1] Group 3: Labor Market Context - The system aims to address labor shortages resulting from a declining working-age population in Japan [1]

Core Insights - Narita Airport is testing a new project involving cat-shaped robots to address labor shortages and improve operational efficiency [1] - The robots are designed to sell snacks in a store located in Terminal 3's domestic boarding area, offering 12 popular snack options [1] - The project is a collaboration between Narita Airport and Nomura Research Institute, with a trial period expected to run until December 15 [1] Company and Industry Summary - The cat-shaped robots utilize a suction device at their tails to retrieve items after customers select and pay for them via a touchscreen [1] - This initiative reflects a growing trend in the airport industry to incorporate automation and robotics to enhance customer service and streamline operations [1]