Toyota Involves Workers in Training Humanoid Robots, Emphasizes No Replacement of Humans

Toyota workers are participating in the training of humanoid robots as part of the automaker’s initiative to deploy 400,000 factory robots. A Toyota executive clarified that this robotic initiative is not intended to replace human workers. Starting in 2028, the Toyota Motor group plans to invest $6.42 billion annually to upgrade factories with this new robotic workforce, according to Nikkei Asia. The company aims to integrate 150,000 robots into its own automotive plants and deploy an additional 250,000 at group company facilities that manufacture various components and materials. Toyota has already begun using some of its ELEY humanoid robots on assembly lines, where human workers are teaching the robots to perform tasks that require precise hand movements by utilizing “jigs” that mimic the humanoids’ fingers.