Toyota's Woven City: A Futuristic Urban Experiment Unveiled

Woven City near Mount Fuji is Toyota's bold initiative to experiment with robotics, AI, and autonomous transport in an urban environment. Spearheaded by Daisuke Toyoda, the project is not a 'smart city' but a mobility test course, aligning with Toyota's innovative history and future ambitions.

Toyota has embarked on an ambitious venture with Woven City, located near Mount Fuji, to explore the integration of robotics, artificial intelligence, and emissions-free transport in daily life. Leading this pioneering effort is Daisuke Toyoda, a member of the automaker's founding family, who emphasizes that this is not a typical 'smart city.'

Intended as a testing ground for mobility solutions rather than real estate development, Woven City spans 47,000 square metres in its initial phase, with an eventual goal of covering 2,94,000 square metres. Although groundbreaking, it follows in the footsteps of other visionary city projects like Google's Toronto venture and Abu Dhabi's Masdar City.

The project's nod to Toyota's textile manufacturing roots is notable, with underground passages for autonomous vehicles to facilitate services. Although geared towards hydrogen energy, the city also reflects on Toyota's strategic interests in competing with Google's Waymo in autonomous transport. Initial residents, termed 'weavers,' will include Toyota employees and partners.

(With inputs from agencies.)