Toyota to deploy 400,000 robots in manufacturing overhaul

Toyota Motor Group plans to deploy approximately 400,000 robots across its production network starting in 2028 to increase manufacturing flexibility and address labor shortages. The company intends to invest roughly $6.4 to $6.5 billion annually to facilitate this technological transformation.

The deployment will be split between assembly plants and group companies, with about 150,000 robots assigned to direct vehicle assembly and 250,000 to parts and material preparation. A central component of this strategy is the development of humanoid robots, such as the “ELEY” (Embodied Learning Robot For Enha) model, which utilizes wheels and specialized finger attachments to perform precision tasks.

Under this system, experienced human workers will play a critical role by teaching robots specific manufacturing movements. These movements are captured via AI-supported systems, allowing the machines to learn and eventually perform complex tasks. Toyota executive Hiroki Nakajima stated that the objective is not to replace human workers entirely, but to create a production structure where humans and machines work side-by-side.