Toyota Calls for Researchers to Submit Material Handling Innovation Ideas

After a successful first year in North America, Toyota Material Handling North America has announced the second year of its Toyota Material Handling North America University Research Program. The purpose of the program is to encourage full-time professors and researchers in North American universities to develop innovations in the field of material handling including virtual or augmented reality, energy infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0, ADAS systems and machine learning.

The Toyota Material Handling North America University Research Program is a sponsored research project created to drive the next generation of technology for the material handling trade.

The evaluation criteria of the program calls for the research to:

· Contribute to the field of material handling.
· Be significant, innovative and have a positive impact on the future of material handling.
· Must be well planned and feasible within the time period specified and budget requested.
· Principal investigators must be qualified in the proposed field of research.

Selected proposals will receive financial support of up to $500,000 per year and it is expected that multiple awards will be made.

Faculty that receives financial support through the University Research Program may be invited to renew the contract for up to three years based on the outcome of the research.

In other Toyota Material Handling news, the company recently introduced a new Walkie

Toyota new Walkie Stacker.
(Courtesy: Toyota Material Handling)

Stacker. The stacker includes adjustable base legs to accommodate various pallet sizes and aisle widths.

Some new features of the stacker include:

· Click-to-Creep Function
· Electronic Brake Release
· IP65 Electrical System
· Stainless Steel Linkage Pins
· Increased Bumper Clearance