Toyota to invest $6.4 billion annually in factory robotics

Toyota Motor Corporation plans to invest approximately 1 trillion yen (about $6.4 billion) annually starting in 2028 to modernize its manufacturing network through automation and robotics. This large-scale initiative aims to address aging infrastructure and labor shortages by deploying roughly 400,000 robots across its global operations and its major suppliers' facilities.

The deployment includes 150,000 robots at Toyota-owned plants and 250,000 at supplier sites. A key component of this strategy is the development of humanoid robots, such as the ELEY (Embodied Learning robot for Enhanced Yield). Unlike traditional bipedal humanoids, the ELEY model is designed to move on wheels and weighs approximately 50 kilograms. It features two-fingered hands capable of performing delicate tasks like sorting parts or folding fabric.

Toyota is utilizing physical AI and Large Behavior Models (LBM) to enable these robots to learn directly from human workers. Through a process where employees wear specialized tools to mimic movements, the robots can autonomously refine their motor skills. The company intends to create a collaborative environment where robots can eventually share learned expertise with other units globally.