World’s Busiest Station Tests Robotic Bins

East Japan Railway is testing three mobile robotic trash bins at Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station, the world’s busiest railway hub, which serves more than 2.7 million passengers daily. The machines travel slowly through the underground concourse, collecting general waste and plastic bottles before returning to a collection point where human workers handle disposal. The trial responds to the reduction of fixed wastebaskets for cleanliness and security reasons, while existing bins in JR East’s area require manual emptying more than 10 times a day. JR East is evaluating whether the robots can navigate dense crowds safely, whether passengers will use them, and how much they can ease sanitation workers’ workload. Their googly-eyed, train-themed design has attracted tourists, while passenger reactions have been mixed.