SUMMARYToyota is training humanoid robots on assembly lines in Czech Republic plants as part of a plan to deploy 400,000 factory robots across its operations. Starting in 2028, the company intends to invest $6.42 billion a year in factory upgrades and aims to place 150,000 robots in its own automotive plants and 250,000 more across supplier and materials facilities. The robots are being taught precision tasks by workers using finger-based jigs.
Toyota workers are already helping to train humanoid robots as part of the automaker’s race to eventually deploy 400,000 factory robots—but a Toyota executive said the robotic push is not meant to directly replace humans.
Starting in 2028, the Toyota Motor group aims to start investing $6.42 billion every year in upgrading factories with the new robotic workforce, according to Nikkei Asia. The company wants to put 150,000 robots in its own automotive plants and deploy another 250,000 at group company facilities that produce various components and materials.
Toyota has already begun deploying some of its ELEY humanoid robots across assembly lines to learn from human workers. Nikkei Asia reported that workers are teaching the robots, which roll around on wheels, to perform tasks requiring precise hand movements by wearing “jigs” based on the humanoids’ fingers.