Toyota Motor Corporation has made significant strides in its ambitious project, Woven City, marking a substantial development phase of this futuristic urban environment aimed at innovating mobility solutions. Announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 held in Las Vegas, the company revealed that it has completed the first phase of construction, with the official launch of this phase slated for autumn 2025.
The Woven City initiative was first introduced by Toyota in 2018 when the company outlined its transition from a traditional automobile manufacturer to a comprehensive mobility entity. In subsequent years, the concept for Woven City began taking shape, prominently showcased during CES 2020. Established on the site of the former Toyota Motor East Japan's Higashi-Fuji Plant in Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Woven City is expected to serve as a living laboratory for developing and validating cutting-edge technologies related to mobility.
Toyota's design for Woven City has garnered acknowledgement for its sustainability and user-centric approach, notably achieving the LEED for Communities Platinum certification—the highest honour within the system—prior to its completion. The developments at Woven City have sparked interest due to their integration of innovative technologies intended to tackle social challenges. Akio Toyoda, Toyota’s CEO, articulated that the city will function as a 'lab' for innovators, where technologies of the future, such as autonomous driving solutions, will be developed alongside AI and hydrogen energy systems.
Preparations are underway to welcome the first group of residents this autumn, which will consist of approximately 100 Toyota employees and their families. These initial inhabitants, referred to as 'Weavers,' will reside in the city rent-free while engaging in collaborative projects that could shape the future of urban living and mobility. The plan includes expanding the community to accommodate a total of around 2,200 residents over time, integrating more innovators and their families, as well as their pets.
Woven City is being crafted with advanced technologies, featuring smart homes and various facilities designed to facilitate the testing of products and services. The city will implement drone technology to assist residents and is also incorporating autonomous vehicles, including a flying robotaxi developed in partnership with Joby Aviation, which has successfully completed numerous automated flights. Additional self-contained robotics for everyday tasks are also on the agenda, aimed at enhancing residents' lifestyles.
Construction efforts are already underway for future phases of Woven City, which aim to broaden the urban development and enhance the technological offerings within the growing community. The venture is positioned not solely as a neighbourhood but as an incubator for cutting-edge innovation, with the potential to extend new technologies into wider societal applications in the future.
The term 'Woven City' reflects Toyota's historical roots as a loom manufacturer, marking a return to its foundational principles while simultaneously embracing advancements that signify the future direction of both the automotive and broader mobility sectors. As construction progresses, the continued evolution of Woven City indicates a pivotal shift in the way urban environments are conceived and developed, shaping a model for future cities around the world.
Source: Noah Wire Services