Toyota President Akio Toyoda appeared at CES today to announce progress on the company's city weaving project. which is true to its name It is a city where Toyota and other companies It hopes to invent and investigate new technologies. The first phase of construction is now complete. and the first companies were named to participate in this project If you're wondering what the “woven” thing is, it's because before cars were created, Toyota used to make looms.
In 2018, Toyota chose CES to announce its intention to transform the “Mobile Company” Which is what a lot of car companies were talking about at the time. The idea is that a company like Toyota should diversify from making cars into other products and services. That allows for the movement of people and goods. When the Weaving City project was announced in 2020, Toyota said it would be a key factor in that transition.
According to Wall Street Journal report Starting in 2023, the journey from announcement to functioning incubator is not difficult. But today's announcement reflects another corporate characteristic of Toyota. Such is its willingness to stick with large projects. With Phase 1 completed, the company is renovating a former factory into a manufacturing hub. and work has begun on Phase 2 of the city weaving project.
Toyota called out non-Toyota companies that will operate in the city of Toyota. “Inventors” So far, the list of “inventors” is as follows:
- Daikin Industries (air conditioner), which will conduct testing “Pollen-free areas” and “personal work environments”
- DyDo Drinco (soft drinks), which plans to develop a new vending machine concept
- Nissin Food Products Co (instant noodles), which will create and evaluate “Food environment to inspire New 'food culture'
- UCC Japan Co (Coffee), which plans to create the coffee shop experience of the future
- Zoshinkai Holdings (Education), which develops new educational methods and learning environments.
From autumn 2025, 100 residents, so-called “weavers” will move to the city. That number is expected to expand to 360 people during Phase 1. Eventually, Toyota said, there will be up to 2,000 people living in the city. They are primarily employees of Toyota or companies woven by ToyotaToyota Mobility Technology.
Toyota said additional companies, universities and startups will be invited to join the Weaving Cities program in 2025.
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