Toyota's Woven City Set to Open at the Foot of Mt. Fuji: A Glimpse into the Future
Toyota is preparing to launch its innovative Woven City this year, a groundbreaking “living laboratory” located at the base of Japan's iconic Mount Fuji.
The company plans to house its first 100 residents, consisting mainly of employees and their families, in the city later this year, with a gradual expansion expected to bring the population to around 2,000 in the early stages of development.
Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda shared this exciting news at the CES tech show in Las Vegas, emphasizing that the city’s launch would accelerate the testing and development of cutting-edge technologies. "Residents will begin to move in as we slowly bring Woven City to life. Our goal is to fast-track new technology innovations," he said on January 6.
First proposed five years ago, Woven City was envisioned as a fully sustainable city and a real-world laboratory for experimenting with artificial intelligence, robotics, self-driving cars, and smart homes. While Toyoda has stressed that the city may not be open to the public for at least two years, he noted that it might never become financially profitable.
However, Woven City CEO Hajime Kumabe disagreed with Toyoda's view, asserting that he envisions the project eventually turning a profit. He acknowledged that measuring profitability might be challenging, as the city’s innovations are closely tied to Toyota’s automotive production and technology.
The company is investing heavily in Woven City, with no specific figures disclosed on the costs. "It's a significant investment," said Toyota’s CFO Kenta Kon. Phase 1 of the city's construction was completed in October 2024.
A key component of this venture is the launch of Toyota’s Arene platform — a software system designed to enhance vehicle development efficiency and reduce costs. Expected to be deployed this year, Arene will be integrated into Toyota's next-generation electric vehicles starting in 2026.
As Toyota continues to push the boundaries of technology and urban living, Woven City stands as a symbol of what the future of mobility and smart cities could look like.
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