Toyota and Gideon? My Opinion about this deal
Toyota Material Handling Europe has announced a significant cooperation agreement with Gideon, a Zagreb-based technology firm specializing in software for Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs).
What does it mean? What's behind this partnership?
You know, press releases are always "boring" 🥱 ... but we have to check carefully what it says and think about what does it mean. (The link to the official press release is at the end of this article).
🙋🏼♂️ Disclaimer: I will clearly indicate whenever there's an opinion... that could be wrong ... there is not any official confirmation by TMHE or Gideon.
Let's check the press note: "By implementing Gideon’s AI-powered autonomy software stack on Toyota vehicles"
So, the idea is to integrate Gideon's advanced localization and control software with Toyota's range of vehicles. Basically... Autonomous Navigation supplied by Gideon, hardware supplied by Toyota.
In fact Gideon's web declares "Our Advanced AI and 3D-vision technology empower self-driving robots with exceptional environmental perception and localization capabilities".
Let's go ahead with the press note:
"Gideon has developed an impressive software stack and vision modules, combining flexible, intelligent autonomous behaviour with specific logistics application focus and user friendliness that will add value to our customers over the coming years."
But, wait a minute... historically, Toyota navigation and vehicle control is powered by Kollmorgen who offers a super reliable and performant solution based on Laser Guided Navigation...
Not only, in the US, Toyota has also partnered Bluebotics to develop an autonomous tow tractor.
This new collaboration between TMHE and Gideon sets a shift, from AGV to AMR behaviour. It will not be done in 2 days... but the road is paved. Both AGV and AMRs will coexist in Toyota's range.
Why Gideon? ... acquisition?
✅ Good Autonomous Software Stack
✅ Independent... other Toyota's navigation suppliers are already supplying Toyota competitors...
✅ Small enough to be... acquired?
Again... 🙋🏼♂️ This is an OPINION: Could this partnership be the test for a further acquistion?
In fact, for a company like Toyota, such an acquisition would be relatively small but would bring in significant expertise... it would clearly show Toyota's commitment for the amr solutions (on the other hand... the present/future is "autonomous").
On the other hand, developing its own autonomous stack is costly and could require long time.
If I were a HUGE AMR manufacturer, I'd like to have this sensible technology in house... of course, there are challenges too... but it makes sense.
By the way, in 2021, Jungheinrich (Toyota's competitor) made a similar move acquiring arculus "we develop high-end mobile robots and software products for intralogistics automation".
Some more considerations. 👇
"By implementing Gideon’s AI-powered autonomy software stack on Toyota vehicles, the market will get solution to some of the unsolved automation problems through significantly shortened project implementation timelines, focusing primarily on collaborative case picking for retail order fulfilment and autonomous truck unloading and loading."
Toyota business is: Manufacturing. So probably they will develop together an autonomous forklift able to unload/loar trailers based on Gideon's Tray solution. This is a greenfield application that offers many opportunities.
Regarding case-picking... well, another opinion 🙋🏼♂️ , it's not Toyota preferred market. Toyota makes forklifts.. so let's see.
How will this new partnership change the status quo?
Let's see... things are moving .... and are fascinating... Link to the press note
PS: If you want to comment or have further info about this news.... just write me back
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Written by Alfredo Pastor Tella (agvnetwork editor).
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