A Paradigm Shift from Labs to Factories: How Toyota’s Investment in Seven Digit Humanoid Robots and RaaS Are Reshaping Supply Chain Automation

The Shift Towards Native Case Handling: Auto-Traying and Case-to-Shelf Systems

Traditionally, warehouses have relied heavily on pallet operations for storage and transport. However, with advancements in technology, the industry is now witnessing a significant shift towards more efficient native case handling methods such as auto-traying and direct case-to-shelf systems. This transition is driven by the need to reduce labor costs, minimize damage during handling, and increase overall throughput. Auto-traying, for instance, automates the process of placing individual items into trays, which are then easily transported through the warehouse using conveyor belts or robotic arms. Similarly, case-to-shelf systems allow products to be directly shelved from incoming shipments without intermediate steps, significantly streamlining operations.

The adoption of these methods is further bolstered by advancements in robotic technology that can handle mixed-size cartons with precision and speed. Robotic solutions such as collaborative robots (cobots) are designed to work alongside human workers, reducing the burden on manual labor while increasing operational efficiency. These cobots are equipped with advanced sensors and algorithms that enable them to grasp and maneuver items of varying sizes and weights accurately.

Inbound Automation: The Next Frontier for ROI

Historically, inbound processes in warehouses have been a significant bottleneck due to their reliance on manual labor and time-consuming tasks such as de-palletizing and pallet-building. However, with the advent of advanced automation technologies, this landscape is rapidly changing. In 2026, expect major investments in robotic de-palletizing systems that can efficiently remove products from pallets, and pallet-building robots that can assemble new pallets for outbound shipments without human intervention.