Shinjuku Station tests robotic trash bins to assist cleaning staff

JR East has launched a pilot program at Shinjuku Station, the world’s busiest railway hub, to test mobile robotic trash bins. The initiative aims to reduce the workload of sanitation staff in an environment that handles over 2.7 million passengers daily.

Three automated robots, standing approximately one meter tall, are being tested in the station’s underground concourses. Developed through a collaboration involving Cartken and Mitsubishi Electric, the devices move at a cautious speed of 20 centimeters per second to ensure passenger safety. The robots feature separate compartments for general waste and plastic bottles and are decorated with the station’s mascot, ‘Shinjukuma.’

The trial, which runs through late November, will evaluate how effectively the robots can navigate dense crowds and whether commuters are willing to use them. Currently, the JR East section of the station has a limited number of fixed bins due to security and hygiene protocols, requiring manual emptying more than ten times a day. The results will help determine if this technology can be scaled for broader use in other facilities.