The AMRs are being used to move goods through multiple stages of the production process, replacing manual transport tasks previously performed by workers. Geekplus said the robots are designed to support labor savings, improve productivity and reduce physical workload for plant employees.

The deployment also is intended to improve safety by reducing risks associated with intersections between forklifts and towing vehicles. The robots collect travel data inside the plants, giving Toyota additional visibility into inventory movement.

Geekplus said labor shortages and new regulations are increasing pressure on manufacturers in Japan to automate in-plant logistics. The company said its moving-type AMRs were selected for their flexible system design and ability to adapt to changing production requirements.

Beyond the AMR deployment, Geekplus said it will provide operational support, maintenance education and automation know-how to help Toyota standardize in-plant logistics.

“We are deeply honored to contribute to the logistics efficiency of Toyota,” said Hirokazu Kato, CEO of Geekplus Japan. “We take great pride in knowing that our flexible system design and engineering capabilities have been recognized.”

Moving-type AMRs use sensors and map data to move parts and products through factories without direct human operation. Routes can be configured and modified through software, allowing the systems to adapt to production line changes and high-mix production environments.