Toyota’s Smart City Vision Moves Forward in Shizuoka
Toyota Motor Corporation has successfully completed Phase 1 construction of its ambitious Woven City, a futuristic smart city project designed to integrate cutting-edge technologies into everyday urban life. The prototype city, located in Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture, southwest of Tokyo, is set to become a testbed for mobility, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI).
The first phase was unveiled on February 24, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the automaker’s goal of creating a fully connected urban environment.
A Smart City Built for the Future
Woven City spans 175 acres (over 700,000 square meters) and is designed to experiment with next-generation mobility solutions, digital infrastructure, and sustainable urban planning. Toyota aims to revolutionize urban living by integrating autonomous vehicles, robotics, and artificial intelligence into a real-world environment.
Key Features of Woven City
- Dedicated Roads for Different Mobility Modes
- The city will feature separate lanes for autonomous vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians to enhance safety and efficiency.
- Toyota plans to conduct rigorous safety tests across these different transport modes before full implementation.
- Underground Delivery & Waste Collection System
- Woven City will have an advanced underground passageway designed for automated deliveries and waste management, reducing street-level congestion and promoting cleaner urban spaces.
- AI-Powered Homes and Services
- The city will be fully connected with AI-driven smart homes, which will be capable of monitoring residents’ health, adjusting energy consumption, and automating daily tasks.
- Advanced robotics and digital assistants will be tested in real-life settings.
- Green and Sustainable Living
- Toyota envisions sustainable energy solutions, including hydrogen fuel cells and solar power.
- The city will focus on reducing its carbon footprint and promoting eco-friendly technologies.
Residents Set to Move in by Late 2025
Toyota announced that approximately 360 residents, including Toyota employees and their families, will begin moving into Woven City in the second half of 2025. The city is expected to eventually house around 2,000 residents, consisting of scientists, engineers, and researchers working on advanced urban solutions.
Toyota’s Vision for Smart Cities
Toyota first announced Woven City at the CES 2020 technology trade show, envisioning it as a “living laboratory” where AI, robotics, and self-driving technology could be tested in a real-world environment. The project aligns with Toyota’s long-term goals of smart mobility, sustainable energy, and future urban planning.
With Phase 1 now complete, Toyota is set to expand the city further, incorporating new advancements in mobility, automation, and AI-driven urban management.
Conclusion: A Glimpse Into the Future
Toyota’s Woven City represents a major leap toward futuristic urban planning, combining smart technology, sustainable living, and innovative mobility solutions. As residents begin moving in later this year, the world will be watching closely to see how Toyota’s vision of a hyper-connected, AI-powered city unfolds.
Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250225_B03/)
