Toyota is set to bring 400,000 of its self-developed wheeled humanoid robots, named ELEY, into its manufacturing facilities, aiming to foster collaborative environments where machines and workers operate side-by-side. The robot weighs 50 kilograms and runs on battery power or a power cord, distinguishing itself with wheel-based mobility rather than bipedal walking.

Toyota and its group companies plan to invest 1 trillion yen (approximately 427.28 billion yuan at current exchange rates) annually from 2028 onwards. This funding will drive renovations and new construction across global plants. As part of the factory upgrades, Toyota intends to deploy 150,000 units, while its group companies will introduce an additional 250,000 robots.

Designed for precision, ELEY is capable of performing tasks such as grasping parts, transferring items between boxes, and folding fabric. The robot also features autonomous learning capabilities, allowing it to identify and execute the most efficient operational methods. Currently, Toyota has already begun deploying ELEY on some production lines to learn from human workers by having staff wear specialized fixtures that mimic the robot's fingers during routine tasks.

Toyota Executive Vice President Yuki Nakajima clarified the company's philosophy: "Robots are not intended to replace humans; we are pursuing a world where humans and machines coexist."