Third Wave Automation has announced a technology collaboration with The Raymond Corporation, part of Toyota Material Handling North America to launch and expand AI-enabled physical automation capabilities across select automated Raymond lift trucks.
The collaboration builds on several years of collaborative development and operational learning since 2021, backed first by investments from Toyota Ventures, Toyota’s early-stage venture firm, and followed by Woven Capital, Toyota’s growth fund.
Raymond will offer Third Wave’s automation capabilities as part of its Raymond ecosystem, providing customers with a scalable path to improve warehouse performance through AI-first technology.
Arshan Poursohi, CEO of Third Wave Automation, says: “The partnership with Raymond is a major step forward in expanding physical-AI automation on Raymond automated lift trucks.
“The combination of Third Wave software and Raymond’s best-in-class material handling equipment creates an unmatched automated solution, with substantial gains in throughput, flexibility, and safety.”
Michael Field, chief operations officer, Toyota Material Handling North America, says: “We have been purposefully and thoughtfully integrating advanced technology and AI-driven capabilities across Raymond’s integrated ecosystem of solutions to help customers optimize workflows, improve visibility, and better connect their operations.
“Adding Third Wave’s technology to our Raymond lineup is a natural extension of that approach, enhancing the solutions available to our customers while supporting more connected, scalable warehouse operations and automating the right application where it makes sense.”
Third Wave’s shared autonomy platform pairs autonomous lift trucks with fleet management and seamless remote assistance, enabling a remote operator to supervise multiple vehicles and intervene in seconds when needed, without impacting other vehicles.
In typical operations, one operator can manage up to 10 forklifts from an off-floor location, helping improve both productivity and operational efficiency.
The initial lineup will include an automated Raymond Swing-Reach truck and several soon to be announced products, each integrated with Third Wave’s automation technology and targeted for commercial availability. The trucks will be distributed through Raymond’s Solutions and Support Centers.
Prashant Bothra, principal, Woven Capital, says: “Our investment in Third Wave Automation was rooted in a conviction that physical AI would transform industrial operations and the enormous potential we saw in their technology to lead that transformation.
“This partnership is a testament to what’s possible when Toyota Group’s global teams, technology, and strategic capital can accomplish when working together. We’re bringing differentiated capabilities to market faster and at greater scale.”
The integration will support automation across key warehouse workflows, including dock-to-dock and trailer loading/unloading operations, with a focus on rapid time-to-value and measurable operational outcomes.
Raymond and Third Wave will also deliver fleet visibility and operational insights that complement automation deployments, helping customers measure performance and drive continuous improvement.
