Toyota to deploy 400,000 robots at its plants worldwide

According to the Nikkei Asia publication, the innovation will be part of a modernization of global production. Directly at Toyota facilities, it is planned to employ 150,000 robots, while another 250,000 will be deployed at factories of other group companies.

Starting in 2028, the company intends to channel 1 trillion yen (over $6 billion) each year into upgrading and retooling manufacturing sites worldwide.

The ELEY (Embodied Learning robot for Enhanced Yield) robot weighs about 50 kg, moves on a wheeled platform, operates on battery power or from the mains, and is equipped with two arms featuring two "fingers". The device is capable of gripping and moving parts, handling fabric, and learning movements based on the actions of human specialists. To collect data, workers on production lines wear special devices that mimic the device's manipulators.

Toyota Executive Vice President Hiroki Nakajima emphasized that the automaker strives to create conditions in which robots collaborate with humans rather than replace employees at facilities.