Toyota plans to invest about $6.4bn a year from 2028 to modernise its factories, with up to 400,000 robots expected to be deployed across its global manufacturing network. The Japanese carmaker says the investment will fund robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and automated production systems across its own factories, affiliated companies and major suppliers.
About 150,000 robots are expected to work in Toyota’s factories, while a further 250,000 could be deployed across supplier operations.
One of the technologies Toyota is developing is ELEY (Embodied Learning for Enhanced Yield), a mobile robot designed to work alongside human employees.
ELEY moves on wheels and uses two-fingered grippers to handle assembly tasks. It learns by watching human workers perform tasks and copying their movements, a process known as imitation learning.
Toyota plans to collect and share data from robots operating at different sites. This would allow the machines to learn from one another and improve their performance over time.
“The immediate priority for Toyota remains the strengthening of its automotive operations and industrial network,” the company said in a press release.
“The future commercialisation potential of certain robotic technologies is also under study.”
Toyota says the automation programme is intended to address ageing factory equipment, labour shortages and growing competition. It also aims to make production and supply chains more flexible.
The company does not intend to replace its workforce entirely. Robots are expected to take on repetitive and physically demanding jobs, while human employees continue to perform tasks that require judgement and specialist skills.
The move comes as manufacturers face difficulties recruiting workers, particularly in countries with ageing populations such as Japan.
In Morocco, Toyota’s retail and after-sales operations are managed by Jameel Motors. The company established its presence in Casablanca in 1995 and has since maintained a network of dealerships and service centres.
The proposed investment focuses on Toyota’s global manufacturing operations. The company has not announced any specific investment or robot deployment targets for Morocco.
