Expect Toyota to Build a Huge, High-Tech "Woven City" Near Mt. Fuji, Japan

Imagine a city in Japan where the entire 175-acre site is a fully-connected ecosystem powered by hydrogen fuel cells. It will be a place where full-time residents and researchers can test and develop technologies in the area of autonomy, robotics, personal mobility, smart homes and artificial intelligence in a real-world environment.

Called the Woven City, this is what Toyota plans to build at the base of Mt. Fuji, Japan as early as 2021.

"Building a complete city from the ground up, even on a small scale like this, is a unique opportunity to develop future technologies, including a digital operating system for the city's infrastructure. With people, buildings and vehicles all connected and communicating with each other through data and sensors, we will be able to test connected AI technology... in both the virtual and the physical realms... maximizing its potential," said Akio Toyoda, president, Toyota Motor Corporation.

Toyota plans to commission Danish architect Bjarke Ingels of the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) to help make their vision come to reality. The company's resume includes the World Trade Center in New York, Lego House in Denmark, Google's Mountain View and London headquarters.

"With the breadth of technologies and industries that we have been able to access and collaborate with from the Toyota ecosystem of companies, we believe we have a unique opportunity to explore new forms of urbanity with the Woven City that could pave new paths for other cities to explore" said Bjarke Ingels, Founder and Creative Director, BIG.

City Masterplan

Toyota wants to classify street usage in the Woven City in three categories: those for faster vehicles only, those for a mix of lower speed, personal mobility and pedestrians, and those for a park-like promenade for pedestrians only.

Together, these three street types will form an organic grid pattern to "help accelerate the testing of autonomy".

Only fully autonomous, zero emission vehicles will be allowed on the roads, with autonomous Toyota e-Palettes the main source of transportation and deliveries in the entire city.

Its buildings will be fully-sustainable, and made mostly from traditional Japanese wood joinery combined with robotic production methods. The rooftops will be covered in photo-voltaic panels to generate solar power in addition to power generated by hydrogen fuel cells. Toyota plans also wants to integrate the outdoors throughout the city by bringing in native vegetation and hydroponics.

City Residents

The Japanese company wants "Toyota Motor Corporation employees and their families, retired couples, retailers, visiting scientists, and industry partners" to live in the Woven City. Their initial goal is to allow 2000 people to inhabit the place, adding more as the project evolves.

Residents will enjoy homes that use sensor-based, human support artificial intelligence that check occupants' health, take care of their basic needs and enhance their daily life.

Toyota also believes that a strong human connection is vitally important for health. It's for this reason why they will build neighborhood parks and a huge central park for recreation and socializing. There will also be a central plaza for social gatherings to help "bring the community together".

Collaboration in the Works

Toyota opens its vision to the world. It's now inviting commercial and academic partners, interested scientists and researchers from around the world to come work on their own projects in this one-of-a-kind, real-world incubator.

"We welcome all those inspired to improve the way we live in the future, to take advantage of this unique research ecosystem and join us in our quest to create an ever-better way of life and mobility for all," said Akio Toyoda, president, Toyota Motor Corporation.

You can learn more about it by visiting their site at woven-city.global