Toyota Targets 400,000 Factory Robots as Workers Train ELEY Humanoids
Toyota will invest $6.42 billion yearly from 2028 toward 400,000 factory robots, while workers train ELEY humanoids and an executive rejects replacement fears.
Summary
Starting in 2028, Toyota Motor Group plans to invest $6.42 billion annually in factory upgrades, targeting 400,000 robots: 150,000 at its automotive plants and 250,000 at group facilities producing components and materials. Workers are already training wheeled ELEY humanoids, which have two hands, by wearing jigs modeled on the robots’ fingers to demonstrate precision tasks. Executive vice president Hiroki Nakajima says Toyota wants robots and people to coexist, not direct human replacement. The stakes include 18,000 veteran workers across 60 factories worldwide, including 11 US plants. Toyota has not disclosed its current robot count or how many planned units will be humanoids.
International Federation of Robotics data show China deployed 2 million industrial robots in 2024, followed by Japan with 450,500, the US with 34,200 and South Korea with 30,600. Humanoids promise general purpose automation in human designed workplaces, but AI, hardware, safety, operating costs and recently initiated mass production remain obstacles. Automakers are retooling for EVs and computer and chip heavy vehicles while facing skilled labor shortages, aging workforces and union resistance over layoffs and compensation. Xpeng and Nio are developing humanoids, while Hyundai plans up to 25,000 Boston Dynamics Atlas robots across Hyundai and Kia plants beginning in 2028. On September 21, Boston Dynamics opened a training center at Georgia’s Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America to teach Atlas parts sequencing and assembly preparation.
Positives
- $6.42 billion in planned annual investment from 2028 could accelerate Toyota’s factory modernization.
- 400,000 planned robots include 150,000 for Toyota automotive plants and 250,000 for group component and materials facilities.
- ELEY humanoids are already learning precision work directly from employees using finger modeled training jigs.
- 18,000 veteran workers could contribute manufacturing expertise as Toyota develops human and robot collaboration.
- 25,000 planned Atlas robots and Georgia training operations give Hyundai and Boston Dynamics a defined deployment path from 2028.
Risks & concerns
- Toyota has not disclosed how many robots are currently deployed or what share of the planned 400,000 will be humanoids.
- AI performance, robotic hardware and safe operation around people remain barriers to broad humanoid deployment.
- Humanoid operating costs remain unproven against human labor, while manufacturers have only recently pursued mass production.
- 18,000 veteran Toyota workers face uncertainty despite Hiroki Nakajima’s assurance that robots are not intended as direct replacements.
- Labor unions remain concerned that expanding robotics and AI could cause layoffs and weaken worker compensation.