Chairman Akio Toyoda is returning to CES. In 2020, he created a buzz by taking the stage to announce his vision for Woven City. Ahead of next year's event, Toyota has released a new video.
On December 17, 2024, a video was posted on Toyota’s official YouTube channel.
It was titled “CES 2025 Teaser: Welcome to Woven City.” On the same day, it was announced that Chairman Toyoda would speak at the CES 2025 press conference to be held on January 7 (JST).
Building a prototype city of the future
Held in Las Vegas, CES is an annual digital technology trade show with a history stretching back more than five decades. In past years, Toyota has used the event to unveil projects such as the e-Palette and the TRI-P4 automated driving test vehicle.
The last time that Toyota took part was in 2020 when then-President Toyoda outlined the Woven City concept.
Akio Toyoda (then president)
It occurred to us: what if we had the opportunity to do it all in one place, in a real-life environment instead of a simulated one?
This was on our minds when we were making plans to close a factory in Japan, and we were wondering what to do with this soon-to-be available land near Mt. Fuji.
…
We thought, why not build a real city and have real people live in it, and safely test all kinds of technologies?
Well, ladies and gentlemen, that's what I'm here to announce today.
On this 175-acre site in Higashi-Fuji, Japan, we have decided to build a prototype city of the future.
Woven City: a mobility test course
“A prototype city of the future.” Following the event, Toyota Times also spoke to Akio directly about his vision for this grand-sounding project.
“As we seek to become a mobility company, Woven City will serve a test course, not only for vehicles but to help us provide mobility for all,” President Toyoda explained in our interview.
Some five years on from the announcement, as Toyota undergoes its transformation into a mobility company, a city-sized test course for future mobility is taking shape at the former site of Toyota Motor East Japan's Higashi-Fuji Plant in Susono City, Shizuoka.
In the teaser video, standing against the backdrop of Mt. Fuji, Akio’s only words are “Welcome to Woven City,” though the room around him suggests how far development has come.
Yet, with so much still unknown, curiosity and questions abound.
What kind of lifestyle will Woven City’s residents enjoy?
What types of mobility will be available?
What will be trialed in this living laboratory?
No doubt, the answers will gradually be revealed.
For now, we look forward to what Chairman Toyoda will share on January 7.
At Toyota Times, we will continue to follow Woven City’s journey.
To keep up with the city’s progress, make sure to also follow the updates at Toyota Woven City.