“Automaker’s Secret City Tests Futuristic Mobility Solutions”
SUSONO, Japan (AP) — Woven City, nestled near the iconic Mount Fuji, emerges as the innovative testing ground for Toyota, the esteemed Japanese automaker, to explore the realms of daily life infused with robotics, artificial intelligence, and self-driving zero-emission transportation. Daisuke Toyoda, a key executive overseeing this groundbreaking project and a scion of the automaker’s founding family, emphasized that Woven City is not merely a “smart city” in conventional terms. “We’re crafting a testing terrain for mobility solutions, and that sets us apart. We are not merely delving into real estate development,” he underscored during a recent tour of the premises where the initial phase of construction has been successfully completed. The Associated Press stands as the inaugural foreign media outlet to receive a sneak peek into the $10 billion Woven City.
The preliminary phase encompasses a vast expanse of 47,000 square meters (506,000 square feet), akin to the size of approximately five baseball fields. Upon full realization, the city will sprawl over 294,000 square meters (3.1 million square feet). Erected on the grounds of a decommissioned Toyota Motor Corp. automobile plant, this experimental hub is envisioned as a collaborative space where researchers and startups converge to exchange innovative ideas, as per Toyoda’s vision. Previous endeavors aiming to shape futuristic cities have encountered setbacks or remain incomplete, such as the proposed urban development by Google’s parent company Alphabet in Toronto, the ambitious “Neom” initiative in Saudi Arabia, a project in the vicinity of San Francisco led by a former Goldman Sachs trader, and Masdar City adjacent to Abu Dhabi’s airport.
The construction of Woven City commenced in 2021, intertwining all edifices through subterranean walkways where autonomous vehicles will buzz around, undertaking tasks like waste collection and deliveries. Despite the absence of current residents, the initial cohort of inhabitants will be a mere 100 individuals, designated as “weavers,” drawn from Toyota and partner entities like the renowned instant noodle manufacturer Nissin and the air-conditioning giant Daikin. Within the cityscape, a coffee maker by the name of UCC dispensed steaming beverages from an autonomous-driven bus stationed in a plaza bordered by yet-to-be-occupied apartment complexes. The nomenclature of the city pays homage to Toyota’s origins as a fabric loom manufacturer, tracing back to Sakichi Toyoda, the great-great-grandfather of Daisuke Toyoda, who aspired to alleviate his mother’s struggles with a manual loom.
While there was scant mention of electric vehicles, a domain where Toyota has somewhat lagged compared to industry peers like Tesla and Byd dominating the EV landscape, the focus in Woven City leans towards hydrogen technology, an energy source championed by Toyota. Executives at Toyota acknowledged that profitability from Woven City might not material
