// ROBOTICS AND SMART FACTORIES TERM
Gemba
A Japanese term meaning "the actual place" or "where the real work happens," often referring to the factory floor or site where value is created.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Gemba, a core Lean principle, signifies the physical location where value-adding activities occur (e.g., factory floor, customer site), emphasizing direct observation ("Go to Gemba") by management to understand processes, identify waste (Muda), and implement improvements.
BACKGROUND
The Toyota Production System (TPS) is an integrated socio-technical system, developed by Toyota, that comprises its management philosophy and practices. The TPS is a management system that organizes manufacturing and logistics for the automobile manufacturer, including interaction with suppliers and customers. The system is a major precursor of the more generic "lean manufacturing". Taiichi Ohno and Eiji Toyoda, Japanese industrial engineers, developed the system between 1948 and 1975.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Shop floor
- workplace
- actual place
- site
- point of value creation
USAGE NOTE
Leaders "go to Gemba" to observe processes firsthand, understand problems, and engage with workers.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Gemba.
Develops a frontline operations platform that allows manufacturers to create no-code applications for shop floor workers, enabling real-time data collection, digital work instructions, and performance tracking directly from the Gemba.
Provides technology solutions including the ThingWorx IIoT platform and Vuforia augmented reality (AR) platform, which enable remote assistance, digital work instructions, and real-time data visualization on the factory floor.
Offers a Connected Worker Platform that digitizes standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and safety protocols for frontline industrial teams, capturing critical data from human activity at the source.
Offers a comprehensive Digital Enterprise Suite, including the MindSphere Industrial IoT platform, which connects machines and physical infrastructure to the digital world, enabling real-time monitoring and analysis of the entire factory floor.
A connected worker platform designed to improve factory performance by facilitating training, knowledge sharing, and communication directly on the shop floor, empowering workers at the Gemba.
Develops augmented reality solutions, such as TeamViewer Frontline, that enable remote expert support and digital workflows, allowing specialists to virtually participate in a Gemba walk and guide onsite technicians.
Creates virtual twin experiences of production facilities with its 3DEXPERIENCE platform (including DELMIA), allowing for simulation, analysis, and optimization of shop floor operations in a virtual environment.
A leading provider of industrial automation and information solutions. Their FactoryTalk software suite helps manufacturers collect, visualize, and analyze production data from the shop floor, providing insights into the actual state of operations.