en.Wedoany.com Reported - Third Wave Automation has entered into a technology partnership with The Raymond Corporation, a subsidiary of Toyota Material Handling North America (TMHNA), to deploy and expand AI-powered physical automation capabilities on select automated Raymond forklifts.
The technical and operational foundation for this collaboration has been building since 2021, with investments from Toyota's early-stage venture firm Toyota Ventures and its growth fund Woven Capital. Raymond plans to offer Third Wave Automation's technology as part of the Raymond Ecosystem, providing customers with a scalable path to optimize warehouse performance through AI-first solutions.
Arshan Poursohi, CEO of Third Wave Automation, described advancing physical AI automation in automated forklifts with Raymond as a key technological milestone. He noted that the automation solution, combining Third Wave Automation's software with Raymond's material handling equipment, improves throughput, flexibility, and safety.
Michael Field, Chief Operating Officer of Toyota Material Handling North America, stated that Raymond is strategically integrating AI-driven technologies and advanced capabilities into its comprehensive solution ecosystem to help customers optimize processes and enhance operational visibility. Incorporating Third Wave Automation's technology into Raymond's product line is a natural extension of this strategy, enabling more connected and scalable warehouse operations with automation where appropriate.
Third Wave Automation's shared autonomy platform integrates autonomous forklifts, fleet management, and remote assistance capabilities, allowing a remote operator to supervise multiple vehicles simultaneously and intervene within seconds when necessary. In normal operation, a single operator can manage up to ten forklifts from an off-board location.
The initial products brought to market include an automated Raymond Swing-Reach® forklift and several upcoming models, each integrating Third Wave Automation's technology and planned for commercial deployment. These forklifts will be distributed through Raymond's solutions and support centers.
Prashant Bothra, Head of Woven Capital, noted that the investment in Third Wave Automation was driven by the belief that physical AI will transform industrial operations, and that Third Wave Automation's technology holds significant potential to lead this transformation. He described the partnership as a result of coordinated efforts across Toyota's global teams, technologies, and strategic capital, enabling differentiated capabilities to reach the market faster and at greater scale.
System integration will support automation of core warehouse workflows, including dock-to-dock operations and trailer loading and unloading. Raymond and Third Wave Automation will also provide fleet operational visibility and insights as a complement to automation deployments, helping customers measure performance and drive continuous improvement.
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