Toyota plans to put 400,000 new robots into factories across its corporate group, while using experienced workers to teach some humanoid machines precise assembly skills. The automaker intends to deploy 150,000 robots in its own plants and 250,000 at affiliated component and materials facilities.
Beginning in 2028, Toyota expects to invest about $6.42 billion a year in factory upgrades, according to Nikkei Asia. Its ELEY humanoids move on wheels and use two hands. Workers train them by wearing finger-shaped jigs that capture the movements needed for detailed tasks.
Toyota executive vice president Hiroki Nakajima said the goal is for robots to coexist with people rather than replace them. The company has 18,000 veteran workers across 60 factories, but it has not disclosed how many robots are already operating or how many of the planned machines will be humanoid.
That distinction matters. Conventional robot arms and material-moving machines have worked in car plants for decades, while general-purpose humanoids remain difficult to deploy safely and economically. Toyota’s plan is therefore both a large automation program and a test of whether human-shaped machines can move beyond limited factory trials.