“Japan Airlines (JAL) will start using humanoid robots in ground handling tasks at Tokyo’s Haneda airport from May, in a two-year trial it said is aimed at easing employees’ workload.

For a start, the Chinese-made robots will be deployed to load and unload cargo containers, JAL and GMO AI & Robotics, its partner in the project, said in a demonstration to the media on Monday.

Japan’s aviation industry is wrestling with a labour crunch brought on by an increase in inbound tourism and a declining working-age population, said JAL, which employs some 4,000 ground handling staff.

The carrier hopes that these robots can also be used to clean cabins and operate ground support equipment in future.”

From BBC.

“Starting this year, Kia has narrowed its vehicle price gap with Chinese models in Europe to 15-20% from 20-25% previously depending on markets, Song said, according to ​a recording of the event obtained by Reuters.

The move highlights how Europe has become a key battleground between legacy ​automakers and Chinese electric vehicle firms such as BYD, as they pursue rapid overseas expansion amid ⁠flagging sales in China and effective exclusion from the U.S. market.”

From Reuters.

“FedEx said on Tuesday it had launched a same-day delivery service ​with last-mile delivery software company OneRail, ‌as retailers and logistics firms race to speed up order fulfillment.

The service, called FedEx SameDay ​Local, lets customers choose narrower ​delivery windows, including two-hour and end-of-day ⁠options. FedEx said it links customers ​to a national network of more than ​1,000 delivery providers through a system that matches orders with the nearest vehicle and driver.

The ​move comes as companies across the ​sector invest in faster fulfillment and stronger last-mile networks ‌to ⁠meet rising customer demand for quicker and more flexible delivery.”

From Reuters.

“The Beijing Auto Show that opened to the public this week is a showcase for how hypercompetition in China has driven new car prices in the world’s largest car market to ​a fraction of the level of the next-largest market, the U.S.

The contrast is stark.

The average new car in the ‌U.S. in March had a list price of $51,456, according to Kelley Blue Book.

In China, there are more than 200 battery-powered models, including hybrids, for sale at less than the equivalent of $25,000, according to DCar, an information and trading platform.

Reuters compiled a list of the five best-selling electric vehicles in China that start under $12,000 using ​DCar data.”

From Reuters.