Toyota CUE7: Advancing Human-Centric AI and Robotics

Toyota Motor Corporation has unveiled CUE7, the latest iteration of its AI-powered basketball robot. The robot has demonstrated the ability to sink a basketball shot from a distance of 25 meters, extending the capabilities of the platform’s previous generations.

The CUE project began on April 1, 2017, as a voluntary activity by members of the Toyota Engineering Society. These volunteers started the project to develop artificial intelligence from scratch, focusing on the specific challenges of basketball movements.

Evolution of the CUE Platform

The robot has undergone several generations of development since its inception. The first generation of CUE debuted at Alvark Tokyo home games on March 28, 2018. By May 1, 2018, the project transitioned from a voluntary activity to an official company task.

Subsequent versions saw steady improvements in shooting distance and accuracy. The second generation, CUE2, debuted on November 24, 2018. The third generation, CUE3, was introduced on April 10, 2019 and achieved a Guinness World Record on May 17, 2019, for the most consecutive basketball free throws by a humanoid robot (assisted), totaling 2,020 shots.

The fourth generation, CUE4, debuted on November 16, 2019, and participated in the B. League All-Star Game three-point shootout on January 18, 2020. This version later received the BREAK THE BORDER AWARD at the B.LEAGUE AWARD SHOW 2019-20 on May 10, 2020.

The sixth generation, CUE6, was unveiled on December 24, 2022, during a game between Alvark Tokyo and Shiga Lakes. CUE is currently a member of the professional basketball team Alvark Tokyo, wearing jersey number 96.

Technical Developments and Human-Centered AI

The transition to CUE7 involves significant hardware and software refinements to achieve long-distance accuracy. To attempt a shot of 24.5 meters—nearly the full length of a 28-meter FIBA regulation court—developers implemented the following changes:

• Installation of 350 wires to improve precision.
• Increased strength in the robot’s right arm to handle the force required for long-distance shots.
• Incremental improvements to the robot’s shooting form.

Beyond the sporting application, the CUE platform serves as a vehicle for driving the development of human-centered AI and robotics. By mastering complex, human-like movements, Toyota is exploring how behavioral science and AI can be applied to broader challenges.

The company’s research into human-centered AI extends to other areas of carbon reduction and movement. On September 3, 2025, the Toyota Research Institute noted that a single AI model could enable a robot to master human-like movements. As of September 16, 2025, the institute has been investigating how behavioral science can unlock further carbon reductions from electric vehicles.

The CUE project illustrates a trajectory from a grassroots employee project to a sophisticated platform used to test the limits of humanoid robotics and AI-driven precision.