Toyota’s ambitious Woven City project, described as a futuristic “living laboratory,” is nearing completion on the site of a former car factory in Japan. Valued at $10 billion, it aims to create a fully integrated smart city, with its first phase set to welcome residents in 2025.
Woven City, located at the base of Mount Fuji, will initially house 100 residents, all of whom are employees of Toyota or its subsidiary, Woven by Toyota. The population will gradually expand to include external innovators and their families, accommodating up to 360 residents during the first phase. By the end of subsequent phases, the city is expected to support a year-round population of 2,000 people. These first residents, referred to as “Weavers,” are selected based on their shared commitment to advancing mobility and creating a better society.
The city is designed as a testing ground for futuristic projects, ranging from autonomous vehicles and robotics to smart home technologies and mobility solutions. Toyota envisions the city as a hub where innovators can develop and trial groundbreaking ideas in a secure, real-world environment. Among the concepts being explored are motorized wheelchairs designed for racing, personal drones for joggers, and pet robots aimed at improving the quality of life for elderly residents. Even the food services sector is playing a role, with startups testing futuristic vending machines and innovative café experiences.
Architect Bjarke Ingels has designed the city’s buildings, blending modern aesthetics with sustainable energy solutions powered by Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell technology. The name “Woven City” reflects its unique design concept, which incorporates three distinct pathways: one for high-speed vehicles, another for slower personal mobility devices and pedestrians, and a third as a park-like promenade exclusively for pedestrians. This design emphasizes seamless integration between mobility, sustainability, and quality of life.
The project’s vision includes addressing Toyota’s lagging position in electric vehicle innovation. Although Toyota has been a leader in hybrid technology, it has only recently begun to develop fully electric vehicles, including the upcoming three-row SUV. Woven City provides Toyota with a platform to explore its future in mobility and sustainability.
Unlike traditional testing grounds or company towns, Toyota’s Woven City aims to function as a real community. This marks a significant escalation of the concept, blending urban living with technological experimentation. However, the project must navigate potential concerns about data privacy and surveillance, challenges that have derailed similar efforts, such as Google’s Sidewalk Labs project in Toronto.
To address these concerns, Toyota emphasizes Woven City’s focus on improving residents’ quality of life. The city has already received Japan’s first “LEED for Communities Platinum certification,” a prestigious sustainability recognition, signaling Toyota’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
Toyota plans to open the city to the public in 2026, allowing visitors to witness its innovative design and functionality. While challenges remain, Woven City represents a bold step toward redefining urban living and mobility, solidifying Toyota’s vision for the future.
