More from this article. The part about introducing automation late is interesting. Reminds me of Paul Graham’s advice to “do things that don’t scale.”
Central to the Toyota Production System (TPS) is the concept of Jidoka, a philosophy blending automation with a deep human understanding and control. Consider how Jidoka unravels within the Toyota assembly line.
Each design element, process, and component commences with careful human craftsmanship. Envision Toyota engineers meticulously sculpting and refining each piece by hand until they reach perfection.
Here’s how it plays out:
- Handcrafted Precision: Every new part starts with human engineering to ensure optimal design and functioning
- Introducing Automation: Gradual automation is incorporated only when the part reaches its design and operation perfection
- Full Automation: The engineers phase out their involvement, leading to full automation of that part within the assembly line
Contrary to typical manufacturing processes that rely heavily on automation from inception, Toyota’s slower, human-led approach ensures functionality, fit, and complete understanding of every component.