Toyota to build future city in Japan
Sprawling ‘living laboratory’ to be constructed at base of Mt FujiToyota has announced it will build its very own living, breathing and super high-tech town at the foot of the country’s highest volcano.
Dubbed Woven City, the futuristic 175-acre town (or ecosystem, as Toyota calls it) is being designed by experienced Danish architect Bjarke Ingels and aims to be the first programmable city in the world.
Toyota says the main objective of the “prototype city of the future” is to be able to test and develop technologies such as autonomy, robotics, personal mobility, smart homes and artificial intelligence in a real-world environment.
The “fully connected” township will be powered by hydrogen fuel-cells, housing up to 2000 residents to begin with – including Toyota employees and their families, plus retired couples, visiting scientists and industry partners – who will live among robots (to assist with daily living) in smart homes.
Only fully-autonomous, zero-emissions vehicles will be allowed on main thoroughfares, while Toyota’s e-Palettes are used for transportation and deliveries.
Toyota president Akio Toyoda said building a complete city from the ground up is a unique opportunity to develop future technologies, including a digital operating system for 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 physical realms… maximising its potential,” he said.
This all sounds light years away, right?
Wrong. Toyota says the groundbreaking for the site is planned for early 2021.
Woven City will also have a recreational park and a central plaza for social gatherings, as Toyota says it believes that encouraging human connection will be an equally important aspect.
The Japanese auto giant, which also used CES to show more of the new electric mobility machines it debuted at the Tokyo show in October, where it announced it was no longer just a car-maker but a mobility company, has invited other commercial and academic partners to collaborate and “work on their own projects in this one-of-a-kind, real-world incubator”.
However, we’re guessing other car-makers won’t be welcome in a city more four times the size of Sydney’s Hyde park, in which only Toyotas may whiz around autonomously on the ground and perhaps even in the air.
Toyota’s first flying car is expected to light the flame at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo on July 24.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
