Inside Japan’s futuristic smart Woven City

Japan, renowned for its innovation, is pushing boundaries once more by developing an entire city — the Woven City, being developed by Toyota. 

It is a groundbreaking "living laboratory" where futuristic technologies like AI, robotics, and autonomous transport will shape urban life. The project blends sustainability with cutting-edge innovation, aiming to redefine mobility and global connectivity.

Toyota announced the project in 2020 and began construction in 2021 near the base of Mount Fuji in Japan. Phase 1 of the development will be completed by the end of this year, with trials set to begin in 2025.

Advertised as a "mass human experiment", its woven city project is a real-life test course for mobility. This state-of-the-art facility is representative of Toyota's 'built for a better world' brand promise, where innovation and technology converge to improve the future of our planet.

With this project, Toyota aspires to transform itself from an automobile company into a "mobility" company. The cost to build Woven City is reportedly $15 billion.

What will the city look like?

Woven City will cover 708,000 square metres (175 acres) on the former site of Toyota's Higashi-Fuji Plant, which closed four years ago. A new plant was built in Tohoku, a region heavily affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. 

At the groundbreaking ceremony in 2021, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda said the aim of revitalising the site is to "connect the history of the Higashi-Fuji Plant to the future of this city."

The city combines traditional Japanese design with modern technology, using specialised robotics for construction. It will initially house 360 residents, mostly Toyota employees. However, it is designed to scale up to 2,000 people. Startups, entrepreneurs, developers, partner corporations and residents are expected to make up the population.

Woven City would resemble a real city where inventors and residents can co-create new ideas, products, and services. The infrastructure is designed to create an environment where inventions with the potential to solve social issues can be created in a timely-fashion.

The streets will serve as a testing ground for future transportation. A key feature is its fleet of self-driving cars, called e-Palettes, which will be used for transportation and deliveries, as well as for changeable mobile retail. These advanced vehicles will travel in dedicated lanes, separate from pedestrian and cyclist paths. Toyota plans to use data from these cars to gain insights into local traffic patterns.

The futuristic city promotes hydrogen-based technology to reduce emissions. Its smart homes, equipped with advanced sensors, allow seamless communication between residents, buildings, and vehicles.

Envisioned as a 'living laboratory', the city will house full-time residents and researchers who can test and develop technologies like autonomous systems, robotics, personal mobility, smart homes, and artificial intelligence in a real-world setting.

The city is designed to be fully sustainable, with buildings primarily made of wood to reduce the carbon footprint. Traditional Japanese wood joinery will be combined with robotic construction methods. Rooftops will feature solar panels alongside hydrogen fuel cells to generate energy. Toyota also plans to integrate nature throughout the city, incorporating native plants and hydroponics.

Residences will be equipped with the latest human support technologies, including in-home robots to help with daily tasks. Sensor-based AI will monitor their health, meet basic needs, and improve daily living, allowing connected technology to be used securely and positively.

The city will have neighbourhood parks, a large central park for recreation, and a central plaza for social gatherings— to bring the community together. Toyota believes that encouraging human connection will be an equally important aspect of this experience.

According to the official website, the goal is to promote greater global harmony by making everyday activities safer and more efficient. "There we will pilot experiments and innovations that will propel society forward," it reads.