Why Toyota and Apex Are Bridging Space and Racing
Toyota's racing division and Apex are merging aerospace and automotive industries.
1The Similarity Between Space and Race Tracks
Satellites and race cars both operate in extremely harsh environments. On race tracks, cars endure heat, collisions, and mechanical stress, while satellites face radiation and airless conditions. In both cases, small miscalculations can lead to catastrophic failures.
2Toyota's Move into Space
Jim Adler, founder of Toyota Ventures, believes the space industry can benefit from automotive expertise. Toyota's 2023 investment in Apex signals its view of space as the next growth frontier. Adler highlights the need to build 100,000 satellites in the next five years.
3Apex and TRD Collaboration
Toyota Racing Development (TRD) has been working with Apex since 2025 to produce structural components for satellites. This partnership leverages automotive techniques to manufacture high-quality, scalable satellite parts.
4High Quality and Scalability
Apex CEO Ian Cinnamon criticizes traditional aerospace manufacturing for its low-volume, bespoke designs. TRD's high-quality standards and scalable production techniques used for race cars offer an ideal middle ground for satellite manufacturing.
5The Future of U.S. Manufacturing
This collaboration also contributes to revitalizing U.S. manufacturing. Cinnamon emphasizes the need to balance quality, production speed, and affordability. Achieving this balance could help the U.S. manufacturing base regain its strength.
6The Future of Mobility in Space
Toyota's entry into the space industry demonstrates the automotive sector's potential contributions to space technology. Adler suggests space could be Toyota's next mobility frontier. This move could create new opportunities for both automotive and aerospace industries.
Original article: Fortune | FORTUNE — Toyota ve Apex: Uydu ve Yarış Arabalarının Ortak Noktası