Toyota sets up robot unit as carmakers push new technology

Toyota Motor Corp. set up a dedicated robotics department as the Japanese carmaker joins major global rivals in building out the technology. The division will be led by chief production officer Takefumi Shiga to accelerate the practical application, commercialization, and deployment of robots on the front lines, the carmaker said in a statement. The move consolidates the company’s robotics efforts under a single organizational structure, it said. Toyota joins a growing roster of major carmakers betting that expertise in manufacturing and motion control can give them an edge in humanoid and industrial robotics development. Hyundai Motor Co., which owns Boston Dynamics, has positioned robotics as a core growth pillar, while China’s BYD Co. has also signaled investment in robotic systems as automakers look beyond the vehicle market. Toyota raises profit outlookToyota Motor Corp. shares climbed the most in nearly four decades after the automaker, emboldened by strong demand for its hybrid vehicles, raised annual profit forecast and stepped up shareholder returns. The world’s largest carmaker raised its operating income forecast by 15% to 3.9 trillion yen ($24.7 billion) for the fiscal year ending March 2027, it said Nov. 5. For the three months ended September, earnings rose 34% to a higher-than-estimated 1.1 trillion yen, the first gain in six quarters. Coupled with an expansion of its buyback program, the bullish outlook helped ease concerns about slumping demand in China, the war in Iran and U.S. tariffs. Toyota jumped more than 16% in Tokyo, the biggest gain since 1987. The stock had already been up ahead of earnings on investor optimism…

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