Jidoka is the operation of a machine without human supervision. When the machine detects a deviation from the standard, the process is immediately halted.

It was developed by Sakichi Toyoda, the founder of Toyoda Spinning and Weaving Company. At that time, many employees had to constantly monitor the machines in the factory. It took 20 workers to oversee 20 machines, which was too many. Toyoda invented the Jidoka principle to address this issue.

A mechanical component was installed in the machines to make them stop immediately when a problem occurs. This allowed fewer employees to oversee many machines. Error detection was simplified, and production costs were reduced. A machine operates according to the Jidoka principle when it automatically stops as soon as an error is detected.