Tokyo puts robot bins to the test for cleanliness

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 20, 2026

Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station is testing autonomous robotic trash bins designed to assist sanitation staff by collecting and transporting waste in its crowded underground concourse. The trial aims to evaluate the robots’ safety, efficiency, and commuter acceptance, potentially shaping future automation efforts in managing cleanliness at busy urban transit hubs.

Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station, the world’s busiest railway hub, is conducting a trial of robotic trash bins aimed at reducing the workload of sanitation staff, a representative from East Japan Railway (JR East) said.

Handling more than 2.7 million passengers daily, Shinjuku Station holds the Guinness World Record as the busiest rail station globally. Within the station area managed by JR East, waste bins are currently emptied manually over 10 times per day. However, due to concerns over cleanliness and security, the number of bins has been gradually reduced in recent years.

The experimental project involves three mobile robotic bins, each just over one meter tall. These robots move cautiously at a speed of 20 centimeters per second through the station’s heavily trafficked underground concourse. Their purpose is to collect trash autonomously and transport it to human workers for disposal.

Shinya Kawamichi, a research official at JR East, explained that the objective is to assess both the operational safety and efficiency of the robots in a crowded public setting. The robots are deliberately slow to allow ease of use for commuters and to be able to stop quickly if necessary. The trial, set to continue through late November, also aims to gauge commuter acceptance and explore potential future applications of such technology.

The robots’ distinctive appearance, including large googly eyes, has drawn attention from both commuters and tourists. Some visitors have stopped to take pictures, with German train driver Chris Genslelein describing the robots as “very cute” and noting the difficulty of finding trash bins at train stations in Japan.

Despite the station’s large size, with multiple floors above and below ground, JR East operates only seven sets of bins and recycling boxes within its area. Some local passengers attribute the generally clean environment to a cultural tendency to carry expired waste home, while others see robotic bins as a welcome convenience.

University student Ryunosuke Noguchi said the robots made it simpler to dispose of trash conveniently while moving through the station. The robotics trial reflects a broader interest in combining automation with urban logistics to improve cleanliness and efficiency in high-traffic public spaces.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.