Exploring Woven City: Toyota's Vision for the Future

A futuristic city is taking shape in Japan, designed to test cutting-edge technologies in an actual urban environment.

Named Woven City, this innovative initiative by Toyota represents a significant shift from merely producing automobiles to evolving as a mobility solutions provider focused on the future of transportation.

Unlike typical testing sites, Woven City serves as a fully operational urban area where real individuals can live, work, and engage in recreational activities while simultaneously contributing to vital research.

What is Woven City?

Woven City acts like a real-life laboratory, where inventors, residents, and visitors collaborate to test and improve new technologies within a city that people actually inhabit. According to Toyota's Chairman, Akio Toyoda, the city aims to be "a place where people can invent and develop all kinds of new products and ideas … a living laboratory."

This ambitious project is intended as a testing ground for autonomous vehicles, smart homes, robotics, and artificial intelligence, all within a thoughtfully constructed urban setting. The ultimate goal is to transition Toyota into a comprehensive mobility company that addresses the movement of people, goods, information, and energy.

Location of the City

Woven City is strategically located in Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, on the grounds of a decommissioned automotive manufacturing facility. This decision represents a deliberate effort to transform a site traditionally focused on car production into a center for future mobility innovations.

Who Will Reside There?

This city is not exclusively for robots and technology; it has been designed for people of all kinds. The first group of residents, anticipated to move in soon, will consist of around 100 individuals, primarily Toyota employees and their families. The city is set to increase its population to 360 in its initial phase, ultimately aiming for up to 2,000 inhabitants, including inventors, weavers, and visitors.

In this context, "inventors" refers to Toyota staff, startups, and entrepreneurs dedicated to mobility solutions. Meanwhile, "weavers" are individuals who will actively collaborate by testing and exploring new products and services. Collaborating partners include companies from various sectors, including beverages, instant food, climate control, and education.

A Unique Transportation System

Woven City's design integrates a novel street system that separates traffic based on speed and type to enhance safety and efficiency. The city features three distinct kinds of roads:

Fast vehicle lanes: These paths are specifically allocated for autonomous vehicles, ensuring the swift and secure transport of goods and people.

Mixed-use streets: These lanes accommodate lower-speed transport, including bicycles and scooters, in addition to pedestrians.

Pedestrian-only areas: These zones are exclusively for foot traffic.

This layered transportation approach guarantees a balanced environment where diverse travel modes function together safely and sustainably, mirroring Woven City's focus on human-centered design.

The Goals of Woven City

The core mission of Woven City revolves around "co-creation," which involves uniting various groups to develop human-centered solutions addressing social challenges. Instead of conducting experiments in isolated settings, creators can observe how their innovations fit into everyday life.

To facilitate this, Woven City features the "Woven Inventor Garage," which provides access to state-of-the-art technologies. A standout feature is the "Digital Twin," a virtual model of the city that allows inventors to simulate scenarios and test products digitally before actual implementation.

Innovations under Trial

What kinds of innovations are being explored in Woven City? Here are a few of the groundbreaking projects from Toyota:

Mobility of goods and people: Testing of the e-Palette for automated transport solutions, including bus services and mobile retail options.

Smart logistics: Deployment of delivery robots connected to smartphone applications to automate goods transport.

Next-generation communication: Development of technologies designed to enhance emotional connections between individuals separated by distance, encouraging personal growth and social interaction.

From Looms to Living Cities: The Philosophy of Toyota

Interestingly, Toyota has roots that extend beyond automobiles. The company's founder, Sakichi Toyoda, transformed the textile industry with inventions that made his mother's work on a manual loom easier. This ethos of serving others remains a guiding principle for Toyota, impacting everything from car manufacturing to the development of Woven City.

Final Thoughts

Woven City exemplifies Toyota's dedication to shaping the future of mobility and fostering a better world through innovation. As the initial residents settle in and the city evolves, it will be fascinating to observe how this "living laboratory" reshapes our understanding of urban living.

Would you consider residing in a high-tech, experimental city like Woven City? What are your thoughts on such transformative urban environments? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below.

city, technology, innovation, mobility, future