Toyota in talks to acquire Boston Dynamics and Schaft from Alphabet
Toyota is negotiating with Alphabet to buy Boston Dynamics and Schaft, aiming to strengthen its robotics and artificial intelligence capabilities beyond automotive applications.
Toyota is in advanced talks to acquire two robotics divisions from Alphabet, the parent company of Google, as the Japanese manufacturer steps up its investment in artificial intelligence and automation. The units under discussion are Boston Dynamics, known for its animal-like robots, and Schaft, a Japanese robotics venture founded by former University of Tokyo professors.
The negotiations, first reported by Nikkei, reflect Toyota’s strategy to expand its research focus beyond traditional automotive engineering. Boston Dynamics is best known for developing the Cheetah robot, which can run at speeds comparable to a human sprinter, as well as the humanoid Atlas and the quadruped Spot. Schaft, meanwhile, specialises in bipedal robots and was an early standout in the DARPA Robotics Challenge.
Toyota’s robotics ambitions
Toyota has already committed $1bn to fund research in artificial intelligence, robotics and materials science, launching three research labs in the United States in partnership with leading universities. The company’s interest in acquiring Boston Dynamics and Schaft signals a move to secure advanced robotics expertise and intellectual property, which could be applied both inside and outside the automotive sector.
While Toyota has not confirmed the specific acquisition talks, the company said it regularly discusses collaborations with external partners to support its research and development. The acquisition would give Toyota access to some of the world’s most advanced robotics technologies, potentially accelerating its efforts in autonomous driving, manufacturing automation and even healthcare robotics.
Alphabet’s robotics rethink
Alphabet’s decision to seek buyers for Boston Dynamics and Schaft comes after the company struggled to find a clear commercial path for the robotics units. Boston Dynamics, in particular, is known for its ambitious prototypes but has yet to produce a mass-market product. Schaft has remained largely in research and development since its acquisition by Google in 2013.
If the deals proceed, Toyota would further consolidate its position as one of the most active automotive players in robotics and artificial intelligence research. The company is also developing autonomous vehicle technologies and has announced pilot projects, including the deployment of 5,000 vehicles with connected safety features at its Ann Arbor, Michigan research site. Toyota’s broader strategy includes exploring new mobility services such as ride-sharing, highlighted by its recent agreement with Uber.
No timeline for the completion of the acquisitions has been confirmed. Both Alphabet and Toyota have declined to comment on the status of negotiations. Any final agreement would be subject to regulatory review and internal approvals.
