What is Jidoka?

Jidoka (自働化), often translated as "automation with a human touch" or "intelligent automation", is a principle of the Toyota Production System (TPS). It allows production processes to stop automatically when a defect is detected. This prevents defective products from continuing through the production line, reduces waste, and allows workers to focus on process improvement rather than just monitoring machines. It is commonly implemented by giving machines the ability to detect abnormalities and halt operation, signaling for help. In essence, it is about building quality into the production process at each stage.