Toshiba Corporation's $4 billion annual investment (six percent of revenues) in research and development led to the innovations behind the world’s first audio visual personal computer (AVPC), the world’s first laptops to feature a cell based quad-core media processor and the World's First PC Integrating a 512GB SSD. Strict quality assurance guidelines are followed in the development of Toshiba components and must adhere to ISO 90002 standards and numerous Toshiba environmental standards. The company is a world leading technology innovator and registers nearly 11,000 patent applications annually. Toshiba has alliances with all major component manufacturers and engineers on location at Microsoft and Intel's research facilities to ensure that only the highest quality products emerge from the Toshiba development facilities. In terms of environmental leadership, Toshiba was the first PC company to launch a RoHS-compliant notebook computer, based on standards established by the European Parliament.

The company is a world leading technology innovator and registers nearly 11,000 patent applications annually. Toshiba has alliances with all major component manufacturers and engineers on location at Microsoft and Intel's research facilities to ensure that only the highest quality products emerge from the Toshiba development facilities. In terms of environmental leadership, Toshiba was the first PC company to launch a RoHS-compliant notebook computer, based on standards established by the European Parliament.

Future Technology

Toshiba's R&D scientists and engineers are currently focusing on numerous research projects. Some key initiatives in development include innovative screen technology that will provide customers with larger, lighter and brighter monitors as well as flexible, retractable, screens. Using nanotechnology Toshiba has created the world's smallest* direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) that greatly extends existing battery life. (*As noted in Guinness World Records 2006.) The Quantum Information Group (QIG) is actively researching the application of Quantum Physics to Information Technologies. They have developed the leading system for Quantum Cryptography, a very secure form of optical communications.

Toshiba co-developed the Cell Broadband Engine, a next-generation processor for the emerging broadband era. Cell is equipped with eight processors for multimedia processing and can perform a huge amount of media processing in real time. Cell will enable ubiquitous audio-visual lifestyles allowing people to enjoy content anytime, anywhere, just as they wish.

Toshiba is developing increasingly sophisticated robots including ApriAttenda ^TM , a robot that recognizes people and attends to them, as well as ApriAlpha^TMV3, a robot that understands instructions and carries them out. To support people in their daily lives, a robot needs to be able to see, listen, speak, think and act. This involves integrating a wealth of image recognition technology, voice recognition and synthesizing technology as well as mechanical and control technology.