Autonomation • TechCrunch

"Jidoka" is a new one to me. TRI (Toyota Research Institute) CEO Gill Pratt described the concept as "Automation with a Human Touch." The anglicized version of the notion is "Autonomation" -- both are modified forms of " automation," in their respective languages. The word was originally applied to Toyota's Production System, highlighting the need for human participation in the process. Employing Jidoka principles throughout the production process is a vital element of the Toyota Production System, forcing imperfections to be immediately addressed by self-inspecting workers and thereby reducing the amount of work added to a defective product.