Toyota Motor President Akio Toyoda made the announcement on Monday. CES 2025 His vision for a living laboratory brimming with innovation and technology. His message: Woven City, a prototype city on a 175-acre site at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan, is open to business and inventors.
“Today, I would say that in any corner of the world there is passion or excitement to make a difference. Make change or count. Please consider this your official invitation to join Woven City,” Toyoda said on stage. Woven City is set to launch in the fall of 2025. Or soon, Toyoda said.
This summer, the company is launching a competition and will award scholarships to Woven City for startups or individuals who need financial support to bring their ideas to life, Toyoda said.
Toyoda was the first to share his perspective. Five years ago At CES 2020, At that time, It plans to build a utopian city where people will live and work among Toyota's projects, including its autonomous e-Palette shuttles and robots.
But Toyoda's vision has broadened. While on stage, He touched on electric air taxis, with particular reference to Joby Aviation, which he recently made. 500 million dollars invested. Into — Autonomous vehicle technology and rockets. yes Rockets.
Surprisingly, Toyoda isn't even sure if he can make money from this effort.
“I know what you're thinking here in the Woven City, is Toyota going to make money?” Toyoda asked the audience. “Perhaps, But that's why Toyota, as global citizens, invests in our collective future. I believe it is my responsibility to share what I have learned with others and contribute new ideas.”
The company began implementation of the project in February 2021 at the former site of Toyota Motor East Japan's Higashi-Fuji Plant in Susono City. The first phase includes buildings designed for “co-creation” activities. employees scientists, Toyoda said on Monday that entrepreneurs and retirees will be invited to live in Woven City.
Toyota is renovating the former TMEJ Higashi-Fuji Plant as a manufacturing hub. Workers are preparing a site for Phase 2. However, That's unlikely to start for long, as the company plans to take lessons learned from Phase 1 to refine its plans for future development.
Some developers, including Woven City; WbyTIn addition to external companies, startups and individual entrepreneurs. Woven City ENEOS Corporation; Discussions are also ongoing with previously announced companies such as Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation and Rinnai Corporation, according to the company.