Toyota Material Handling

The challenge

Confronted with the need to store, move and deliver components and finished product to help meet consumer demand, the business was looking for a solution to improve productivity and accuracy in managing the material flow for every SKU variation.

The solution

An AI-powered approach to automated handling called ‘swarm’. Small robots swarm through the facility and use AI with visual recognition to navigate. They carry loads to the correct location for consolidation and onward transportation. Toyota Material Handing uses Microsoft’s AirSim, which creates realistic digital twin environments to replicate vehicle dynamics and test how autonomous vehicles using AI can operate safely in the open world.

Further, the company uses Microsoft Bonsai, a novel approach using machine teaching that analyzes the images taken of an environment to identify components such as racks, pallets, and other infrastructure. Then the autonomous vehicle training takes place inside the AirSim simulated environment.

Benefits

• More efficient logistics and intelligent automation that support continuous improvement
• By providing solutions with artificial intelligence, mixed reality and the Internet of Things (IoT), Toyota Material Handling Group is helping customers meet the global rise in e-commerce and move goods quickly, frequently, accurately and safely.
• Digital innovation helps Toyota Material Handling to accelerate and expand their business