Key Innovations
1. Walking Training System with Accurate Motion Tracking
What is Toyota doing? One system combines treadmill load sensors with side-view camera images to accurately identify leg positions for precise gait analysis. Another system uses machine learning to analyze rehabilitation data, detect abnormal walking patterns, and adapt assistance based on these patterns.
What does this mean? They could be utilizing AI to enhance accuracy and personalization in gait analysis and rehabilitation.
Related patents: JP7501439B2, US20240188848A1
2. Robots Lifting Large Objects Using Whole Body
What is Toyota doing? A robot features a rail-mounted body with arms that can wrap around and hold objects, using tactile feedback from force sensors in its compliant skins.
What does this mean? Toyota could be advancing robotic technology by integrating AI for tactile feedback and adaptive manipulation. This development allows the robot to handle large objects with precision and adaptability, leveraging sensor data for efficient and safe lifting.
Related patents: US12017897B2
3. Bag-Shaped Actuator System for Gripping Devices
What is Toyota doing? Toyota is developing a bag-shaped actuator system for gripping devices that can adjust the stiffness of the gripper heads to prevent damage to workpieces. The system uses a bag-like actuator filled with granular material, which changes its internal pressure when connected to different air sources.
What does this mean? Toyota could be enhancing gripping technology with an AI-driven actuator system that dynamically adjusts stiffness to handle workpieces safely and effectively.
Related patents: CN112847407B
Toyota’s Automated Robot Coordination System Patent Activities During this Quarter(April-June)
Trend of Publication
| Year(count) | |
|---|---|
| April(31) | ██████████████████████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ |
| May(22) | ██████████████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ |
| June(23) | █████████████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ |
Top Publishing Geographies
| Country | ||
|---|---|---|
| JP | 16 | ████████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ |
| CN | 14 | ██████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ |
| US | 9 | ███████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ |
Other Key Innovations
1. Promoting Store Visits in Commercial Clubs Using Robots
What is Toyota doing? Toyota is developing a system to promote visits to stores in a commercial cluster by users of the associated parking lot. The system tracks the number of stores visited by users of parked vehicles and provides better preferential services in the parking lot based on the number of stores visited, incentivizing users to shop at more stores within the cluster.
What does this mean? By incentivizing users with preferential parking services based on store visits, Toyota could be creating a smart system that encourages increased foot traffic and engagement with multiple stores.
Related patents: KR102661839B1
2. Midway Recovery of Transported Items
What is Toyota doing? These systems include enabling midway item recovery during autonomous transport, managing the cleanliness of delivery robots to prevent cross-contamination, and promoting store visits by tracking and incentivizing user behavior in commercial clusters.
What does this mean? Toyota could be leveraging AI and automation to enhance efficiency, flexibility, and hygiene in autonomous transport, as well as to drive retail engagement
Related patents: CN112835355B, CN112835301B
Interesting Citations
| Company citing Toyota | Industry | Toyota’s cited family |
|---|---|---|
| Zoox(Amazon’s Subsidary) | Robotics | CN112084833B | US12014507B2 |
| Global Tel Link | Telecommunications | JP7468421B2 | JP7468423B2 |
| FANUC | Robotics | CN111914608B | EP3869464B1 |
| Nvidia | Tech | CN114905503B |
What else did Toyota published in June?
Innovation Areas
| Area | Application |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Infotainment and Driver Support Systems | Advanced infotainment systems, Driver support and safety enhancement, User experience optimization in vehicles |
| Automated Packaging and Manufacturing | Logistics and warehouse management, Robotic process automation |
| Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) | Autonomous driving technology, Enhanced safety features in vehicles |
| Traffic Management Systems | Autonomous vehicle navigation, Predictive maintenance and safety systems |
| Machine Learning Applications in Automotive | Real-time data processing in vehicles, Adaptive control systems in autonomous driving |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Diagnostics | Noise reduction systems in automotive, Enhanced acoustic comfort for passengers |
New Families
In this quater, Toyota published 26 new patents families, which are the first in their series. These patents surrounds:
- Challenges of Adaptive Learning in Vehicle Systems
- Enhancing Object Recognition and Depth Perception in Low-Light Conditions with Machine Learning and Automated Labeling
- Optimizing Neural Network Architectures for Robust, Unsupervised Learning
- Predictive Modeling for Vehicle and Traffic Systems
- Efficient Control and Coordination of Multiple Robots in the Packaging Industry
Other Leading Automotive Companies innovating in AI
- Ford
- Mitsubishi
- Hyundai
