Inside Toyota’s $10 Billion Futuristic City: Woven City Unveiled

Toyota sponsored travel and accommodation for Ars Technica to visit Woven City. Ars does not accept paid editorial content.

In January 2020, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda announced plans to construct a city of the future. This initiative marked a strategic shift for Toyota, transitioning from an automotive manufacturer to a comprehensive mobility company.

Six months ago, after investing an estimated $10 billion, Toyota opened Woven City—a sensor-equipped, mini-metropolitan testbed built on the site of a former factory. The first cohort of residents, 100 carefully selected “Weavers,” moved in to advance the city’s technological ecosystem.

Firsthand Experience: Exploring Woven City

Last week, I toured Woven City to assess its progress and vision. Here’s what stood out during my visit:

1. Fully Connected Infrastructure

Every aspect of Woven City is designed for seamless connectivity. Roads are embedded with sensors to monitor traffic, while buildings feature AI-driven systems for energy and resource management. The city operates on a hydrogen fuel cell power grid, emphasizing sustainability.

2. Autonomous Mobility at the Core

Toyota’s vision prioritizes autonomous transportation. Residents use electric, self-driving vehicles for personal and public transit, with dedicated lanes for testing new mobility solutions. The city also includes a test track for robotics and AI.

3. Smart Homes and AI Integration

Housing units are equipped with AI assistants to optimize daily life, from adjusting lighting to managing energy consumption. The homes are built with carbon-neutral materials and feature modular designs for adaptability.

4. A Living Laboratory for Innovation

Woven City serves as a real-world testbed for Toyota and its partners. Researchers, engineers, and scientists collaborate on breakthroughs in robotics, AI, and sustainable energy. The city’s layout includes dedicated zones for experimentation, including a full-scale smart city infrastructure.

"Woven City is not just a project; it’s a movement toward redefining how we live, work, and move." — Akio Toyoda, Toyota CEO

What’s Next for Woven City?

While the initial phase focuses on the first 100 Weavers, Toyota plans to expand the community gradually. The long-term goal is to create a scalable model for future smart cities worldwide. Key milestones include:

• Expanding resident participation beyond the initial cohort
• Introducing new mobility and energy solutions
• Collaborating with global tech and automotive partners