Japanese automaker Toyota is redefining urban innovation with its $10 billion Woven City, a revolutionary testbed for futuristic mobility solutions near Mount Fuji. This 3.1 million-square-foot complex aims to pioneer autonomous vehicle networks, robotics, and hydrogen-powered infrastructure – all while avoiding the 'smart city' label its creators insist doesn't apply.
Construction began in 2021 on the site of a former Toyota assembly plant. The first completed phase spans 506,000 square feet, with full build-out planned through 2024. Unlike stalled projects like Alphabet's Quayside Toronto or Saudi Arabia's Neom, Woven City emphasizes practical testing over utopian visions.
We're making a test course for mobility – that's fundamentally different from real estate development,explains executive lead Daisuke Toyoda.
Key infrastructure features include:
- Underground corridors for self-driving delivery vehicles
- AI-managed energy grids powered by hydrogen fuel cells
- Modular apartments with sensor-driven climate control
Early partners range from Daikin's air conditioning systems to UCC's autonomous coffee buses. Notably absent? Electric vehicle infrastructure – a deliberate choice as Toyota doubles down on hydrogen technology despite industry shifts toward EVs.
Analysts suggest this project serves multiple strategic purposes:
- Real-world testing for autonomous tech to rival Waymo
- Showcase for hydrogen's urban applications
- Legacy-building for the Toyoda family's mechanical roots
With initial occupancy limited to 100 corporate residents, Woven City prioritizes controlled experimentation over gradual scaling. As other tech giants struggle to materialize future cities, Toyota's cash reserves and automotive focus might finally bridge the gap between mobility concepts and street-level reality.