Toyota Motor Corporation has announced plans to open its futuristic Woven City by fall 2025, marking the completion of the first phase of its construction. This ambitious project is aimed at establishing Woven City as a living laboratory for innovative mobility and futuristic technologies.
Located on the grounds of the former Toyota Motor East Japan factory in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, Woven City is set to become not only a testbed for mobility solutions but also for smart city technologies including artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous vehicles. The project has been described by Toyota as pivotal for transitioning the company from traditional automaking to mobility solutions.
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025, held on January 6, Toyota's Chairman Akio Toyoda announced the imminent opening. "This year, we will gradually realize Woven City, and residents will start moving in," he stated, indicating the project is nearing its first operational phase.
The initial resident count is expected to be around 100, primarily consisting of Toyota employees and their families. This small community will play a significant role as test participants, providing feedback on the technologies being implemented. Over time, the city is projected to expand to accommodate about 2,000 residents.
Construction on this innovative urban environment began back in February 2021, with plans laid out during CES 2020. Significant milestones have been reached, with the completion of the first phase of building scheduled for late 2024. Akio Toyoda highlighted the purpose of Woven City, stating, "We aim to accelerate the pace of testing and developing new technologies at Woven City." He envisions it as not just a city but as a model for sustainable urban living.
Woven City plans to provide opportunities for collaboration with various companies and institutions. The project will involve partners termed "Inventors," who will create and test their own products and services within this urban framework. Participatory collaborations already include notable names such as Daikin Industries, which plans to conduct experiments related to air conditioning and personalized space solutions, and UCC Japan, which aims to explore the future of coffee culture through innovative café concepts.
Other participating companies include DyDo DRINCO, known for beverage production, and Zoshinkai Holdings, which is focused on transforming educational experiences leveraging data-driven approaches. Participation from startups, entrepreneurs, and academic institutions is also anticipated, emphasizing the project's commitment to open innovation.
Woven City is positioned not merely as the next step for Toyota but as part of their vision for the future of urban living, extending their mobility mission beyond just transportation. The concept encompasses enhancing quality of life through technology integration, sustainability, and community involvement.
Residents, referred to as "Weavers," will be integral to the feedback mechanism for the technologies and services being developed. Toyota aims to initially include approximately 360 residents during the first phase, with plans to eventually include general public participation starting with the 2026 fiscal year, opening the doors for visitor engagement as well.
Future plans for Woven City envision interactions extending beyond earthbound technologies, even considering partnerships for developments related to space mobility. This includes the recent investment announcement by Toyota of around ¥7 billion to support the commercialization of rockets, showcasing their ambition to innovate across all dimensions including land, sea, air, and outer space.
The address for Woven City is set at 1117 Oinyama, Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, with the total area currently around 50,000 m², projected to expand to approximately 708,000 m² as the project develops. This innovative urban concept aims to redefine how society interacts with technology and each other, reinforcing Toyota's commitment to advancing mobility.
Woven City stands as Toyota's initiative to embrace the future of sustainable living, moving beyond mere transportation solutions to creating environments where technology and community flourish symbiotically.